MISSIONNARY ROSARY

The venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot, founder of the Propagation of the Faith,

understood that the Missionary Church needed support through the baptized people’s

prayer. She promoted the Rosary by asking to pray for the missionaries. Since 1883,

October has been the missionary month and the Rosary month, that is why we suggest a

meditated missionary Rosary with Pope Francis. The joyful, the luminous, the glorious

and the missionary mysteries are available on the Mission foi Website. Here is an

example of the joyful mysteries.

Missionary Rosary

Joyful mysteries

1. The Annunciation

Scripture: Luke 1:28–38

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” But she was

greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then

the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with

God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him

Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will

give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy

Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth,

your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her,

who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I

am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the

angel departed from her.

Pope Francis: Homily for the Marian Day, October 13, 2013

“Today let us all ask ourselves whether we are afraid of what God might ask, or of

what he does ask. Do I let myself be surprised by God, as Mary was, or do I remain

caught up in my own safety zone: in forms of material, intellectual or ideological

security, taking refuge in my own projects and plans? Do I truly let God into my life?

How do I answer him?”

2. The Visitation

Scripture: Luke 1:39–47; 56

During those days Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of

Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth

heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy

Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and

blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my

Lord should come to me? For at the moment, the sound of your greeting reached my ears,

the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was

spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the

greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my saviour. Mary remained with her

about three months and then returned to her home.

Pope Francis: Homily in Santiago de Cuba, September 22, 2015

‘We are invited to “leave home” and to open our eyes and hearts to others. Our revolution

comes about through tenderness, through the joy which always becomes closeness and

compassion—which is not pity, but suffering with, so as to free—and leads us to get

involved in, and to serve, the life of others. Our faith makes us leave our homes and go

forth to encounter others, to share their joys, their hopes and their frustrations. Our faith,

“calls us out of our house,” to visit the sick, the prisoner and to those who mourn. It

makes us able to laugh with those who laugh, and rejoice with our neighbours who

rejoice. Like Mary, we want to be a Church which serves, which leaves home and

goes forth, which goes forth from its chapels, forth from its sacristies, in order to

accompany life, to sustain hope, to be the sign of unity…’

3. The Nativity

Scripture: Matthew 2 :1–2; 9–12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi

from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We

saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.’

After their audience with the king, they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at

its rising preceded them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with

Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened

their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been

warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Pope Francis: Homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany, January 6, 2017 ‘These

men saw a star that made them set out. The discovery of something unusual in the

heavens sparked a whole series of events. The star did not shine just for them, nor did

they have special DNA to be able to see it. As one of the Church Fathers rightly noted,

the Magi did not set out because they had seen the star, but they saw the star

because they had already set out’ (cf. Saint John Chrysostom). Their hearts were open

to the horizon and they could see what the heavens were showing them, for they were

guided by an inner restlessness. They were open to something new.”

4. The Presentation in the temple

Scripture: Luke 2:36–40

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She

was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and

then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped

night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave

thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of

Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they

returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong,

filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Pope Francis: Homily for World Day of Consecrated Life, February 2, 2016

“Those who truly encounter Jesus cannot remain the same as before. He is the novelty

that makes all things new. Those who experience this encounter become witnesses and

make the encounter possible for others; they also promote the culture of encounter,

avoiding the self-referentiality that makes us stay closed off within ourselves.”

5. The Finding in the temple

Scripture: Luke 2:41–52

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was

twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its

days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents

did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked

for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to

Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the

midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him

were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they

were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your

father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”And he said to them, “Why

were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But

they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to

Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favour before God and man.

Pope Francis: Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, December 27, 2015

“At the end of that pilgrimage, Jesus returned to Nazareth and was obedient to his parents

(cf. Lk 2:51). This image also contains a beautiful teaching about our families. A

pilgrimage does not end when we arrive at our destination, but when we return home

and resume our everyday lives, putting into practice the spiritual fruits of our

experience. We know what Jesus did on that occasion. Instead of returning home with

his family, he stayed in Jerusalem, in the Temple, causing great distress to Mary and

Joseph who were unable to find him. For this little ‘escapade,’ Jesus probably had to beg

forgiveness of his parents. The Gospel doesn’t say this, but I believe that we can presume

it. Mary’s question, moreover, contains a certain reproach, revealing the concern and

anguish which she and Joseph felt. Returning home, Jesus surely remained close to them,

as a sign of his complete affection and obedience. Moments like these become part of the

pilgrimage of each family; the Lord transforms the moments into opportunities to grow,

to ask for and to receive forgiveness, to show love and obedience.”

Luminous mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus

Scripture: Luke 3:21–22

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus had also been baptized and was praying,

heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.

And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Pope Francis: General Audience, January 15, 2014

“In effect, as from generation to generation life is transmitted, so too from generation to

generation, through rebirth at the baptismal font, grace is transmitted, and by this grace

the Christian People's journeys through time, like a river that irrigates the land and

spreads God’s blessing throughout the world. From the moment that Jesus said what we

heard in the Gospel Reading, the disciples went out to baptize; and from that time until

today there is a chain in the transmission of the faith through Baptism. And each one of

us is a link in that chain: a step forward, always; like a river that irrigates. Such is the

grace of God and such is our faith, which we must transmit to our sons and daughters,

transmit to children, so that once adults, they can do the same for their children. This is

what Baptism is. Why? Because Baptism lets us enter this People of God that

transmits the faith. This is very important. A People of God that journeys and

hands down the faith.”

2. The wedding at Cana

Scripture: John 2:1–10

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was

there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short,

the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”And Jesus said to her, “Woman,

how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the

servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish

ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars

with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and

take it to the headwaiter.”* So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that

had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had

drawn the water, knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone

serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you

have kept the good wine until now.”

Pope Francis: General Audience, June 8, 2016

“And indeed at Cana the servants obey. ’Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.”

And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to

the steward of the feast.” So they took it (Jn 2:7–8). At this wedding, the New Covenant

is truly articulated and to the servants of the Lord, that is to all the Church, is

entrusted a new mission: ‘Do whatever he tells you!’ To serve the Lord means to listen

and to put into practise his Word. It is the simple but essential recommendation of the

Mother of Jesus and it is the programme of life of the Christian.”

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom

Scripture: Matthew 11:1–5

When Jesus finished giving these commands to his twelve disciples, he went away from

that place to teach and to preach in their towns. When John heard in prison of the works

of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, “Are you the one who is to

come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what

you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf

hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”

Pope Francis: Message for World Mission Day 2017

“The Church’s mission, then, is not to spread a religious ideology, much less to propose a

lofty ethical teaching. Many movements throughout the world inspire high ideals or ways

to live a meaningful life. Through the mission of the Church, Jesus Christ himself

continues to evangelize and act; her mission thus makes present in history the kairos,

the favourable time of salvation. Through the proclamation of the Gospel, the risen Jesus

becomes our contemporary, so that those who welcome him with faith and love can

experience the transforming power of his Spirit, who makes humanity and creation

fruitful, even as the rain does with the earth. ‘His resurrection is not an event of the past;

it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all seems to be dead,

signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. It is an irresistible force’ (Evangelii

Gaudium, 276).”

4. The Transfiguration

Scripture: Matthew 17:1–9

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high

mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the

sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to

them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are

here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for

Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then

from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well

pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very

much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”And

when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were

coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone

until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Pope Francis: Angelus, August 6, 2017

“At the end of the stunning experience of the Transfiguration, the disciples came down

the mountain (cf. v. 9) with eyes and hearts transfigured by their encounter with the Lord.

It is the journey that we too can make. The ever more vibrant rediscovery of Jesus is not

the aim in itself, but spurs us to ‘come down the mountain,’ energized by the power of

the divine Spirit, so as to decide on new paths of conversion and to constantly

witness to charity, as the law of daily life.”

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Scripture: Matthew 26:26–29

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his

disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and

gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant,

which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on

I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the

kingdom of my Father.”

Pope Francis: Homily for the Solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ,

June 4, 2015

Jesus poured out his Blood as the price and the laver, so that we might be purified of all

sin: not to lose hope, let us look to Him, drink at his font, to be shielded from the risk of

corruption. Then we will feel the grace of transformation: we will always be poor sinners,

but the Blood of Christ will free us from our sins and restore our dignity. It will free us

from corruption. Not by our merit, with sincere humility, we will be able to bring our

brothers the love of our Lord and Saviour. We will be his eyes which go in search of

Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene; we will be his hand which soothes those who are

sick in body and spirit; we will be his heart which loves those in need of

reconciliation, mercy and understanding.

Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15: 14; 19–20

And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith.

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. But

now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Pope Francis: General Audience, April 10, 2013

“Dear brothers and sisters, let us point out the Risen Christ to those who ask us to account

for the hope that is in us (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). Let us point him out with the proclamation of

the word, but above all with our lives as people who have been raised. Let us show

the joy of being children of God, the freedom that living in Christ gives us which is true

freedom, the freedom that saves us from the slavery of evil, of sin and of death! Looking

at the heavenly homeland, we shall receive new light and fresh strength, both in our

commitment and in our daily efforts. This is a precious service that we must give to this

world of ours which all too often no longer succeeds in raising its gaze on high, no longer

succeeds in raising its gaze to God.”

2. The Ascension of Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 28:16–20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said

to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and

make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And

behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Pope Francis: Angelus, May 28, 2017

“Jesus’s Ascension into heaven thus constitutes the end of the mission that the Son

received from the Father and the beginning of the continuation of this mission on the part

of the Church. From this moment, from the moment of the Ascension, in fact, Christ’s

presence in the world is mediated by his disciples, by those who believe in him and

proclaim him. This mission will last until the end of history and every day will have the

assistance of the Risen Lord, who assures: ‘I am with you always, to the close of the age’

(v. 20). His presence brings strength during persecution, comfort in tribulations, support

in the difficult situations that the mission and the proclamation of the Gospel will encounter.”

3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost

Scripture: Acts of the Apostles 2:1–4; 12–13

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And

suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the

entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which

parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. They

were all astounded and bewildered, and said to one another, “What does this mean?” But

others said, scoffing, “They have had too much new wine.”

Pope Francis: Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 20, 2018

“When, in the life of our communities, we experience a certain ‘listlessness,’ when we

prefer peace and quiet to the newness of God, it is a bad sign. It means that we are trying

to find shelter from the wind of the Spirit. When we live for self-preservation and keep

close to home, it is not a good sign. The Spirit blows, but we lower our sails. And yet,

how often have we seen him work wonders! Frequently, even in the bleakest of times, the

Spirit has raised up the most outstanding holiness! Because he is the soul of the Church,

who constantly enlivens her with renewed hope, fills her with joy, makes her

fruitful, and causes new life to blossom.”

4. The Assumption of Mary

Scripture: Revelation 12:1–9

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her

feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in

pain as she laboured to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge

red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail

swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the

dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave

birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron

rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the

desert where she had a place prepared by God that there she might be taken care of for

twelve hundred and sixty days. Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels

battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail

and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient

serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown

down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.

Pope Francis: Homily for the Solemnity of the Assumption, August 15, 2013

“The passage from Revelation presents the vision of the struggle between the woman and

the dragon. The figure of the woman, representing the Church, is, on the one hand,

glorious and triumphant and yet, on the other, still in travail. And the Church is like that:

if in heaven she is already associated in some way with the glory of her Lord, in history

she continually lives through the trials and challenges which the conflict between God

and the evil one, the perennial enemy, brings. And in the struggle which the disciples

must confront—all of us, all the disciples of Jesus, we must face this struggle—Mary

does not leave them alone: the Mother of Christ and of the Church is always with us. She

walks with us always, she is with us. And in a way, Mary shares this dual condition. She

has, of course, already entered, once and for all, into heavenly glory. But this does not

mean that she is distant or detached from us; rather Mary accompanies us, struggles with

us, sustains Christians in their fight against the forces of evil.”

5. Mary is crowned as Queen

Scripture: Revelation 7:9–17

After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every

nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,

wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud

voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.”

All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.

They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshipped God, and exclaimed: “Amen.

Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honour, power, and might be to our God

forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these

wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are

the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of

great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the

Lamb. ’For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in

his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or

thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the centre

of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God

will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Pope Francis: Apostolic journey in Chile, crowning of the virgin’s statue

“The virgin who wanted to be called your handmaid was chosen mother of the

Redeemer, and true mother of all the living, and now exalted above the choirs of the

angels, reigns gloriously with Your Son interceding for all men as an advocate of grace

and queen of mercy.”

Missionary mysteries

1. Philip and the Ethiopian

Scripture: Acts of the Apostles 8:26–31; 35–40

Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, “Get up and head south on the road that goes

down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route.” So he got up and set out. Now there was

an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians,

in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was

returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit said

to Philip, “Go and join up with that chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah

the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I,

unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him. Then Philip

opened his mouth and, beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him.

As they travelled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look,

there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?” Then he ordered the chariot to

stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him.

When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the

eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing. Philip came to Azotus, and

went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Pope Francis: Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 20, 2018

“When the disciples least expect it, the Holy Spirit sends them out to the pagans. He

opens up new paths, as in the episode of the deacon Philip. The Spirit drives Philip to a

desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza… (How heartrending that name sounds to us today!

May the Spirit change hearts and situations and bring peace to the Holy Land!) Along the

way, Philip preaches to an Ethiopian court official and baptizes him. Then the Spirit

brings him to Azotus, and then on to Caesarea, in constantly new situations, to spread the

newness of God.”

2. Peter and Cornelius

Scripture: Acts of the Apostles 10:44–48

While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were

listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were

astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles

also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter

responded, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have

received the Holy Spirit even as we have?” He ordered them to be baptized in the name

of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for a few days.

Pope Francis:

“The Benedictine monasteries are an example of “mutual welcome” and help to advance

the ’interreligious dialogue,” affirmed Pope Francis to the members of the Benedictine

Confederation, who were present in the consistory hall of the apostolic palace, on

September 8, 2018.

“The welcome made by the monks and nuns of the Benedictine order to the people

of different religious traditions helps to “advance with spiritual anointing

ecumenism and interreligious dialogue,” declared Pope Francis. “For centuries,

Benedictine houses have been known as places of welcome, prayer and generous

hospitality,” he reckoned. Yet, it is an essential work of evangelization that you must

continue today.”

3. Barnabas and Saul are sent out on a mission

Scripture: Acts of the Apostles 13 :1–5

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who

was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the

tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit

said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. So

they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to

Cyprus. When they arrived in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish

synagogues. They had John also as their assistant.

Pope Francis: 54th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, November 27, 2016

“Commitment to mission is not something added on to the Christian life as a kind of

decoration, but is instead an essential element of faith itself. A relationship with the

Lord entails being sent out into the world as prophets of his word and witnesses of

his love.”

4. The Council of Jerusalem

Scripture: Acts of the Apostles 15:22–29

Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose

representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen

were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the

letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers

in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some

of our number who went out without any mandate from us has upset you with their

teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose

representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who

have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas

and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ’It is the decision

of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,

namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled

animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is

right. Farewell.

Pope Francis: Apostolic journey in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, September 23, 2018

“Jesus in the Gospel tells us of a temptation of which we have to be very careful: the

desire for primacy and domination over others, which can dwell in every human heart.

How often has it happened that one people consider itself superior, with greater

acquired rights, with more privileges needing to be preserved or gained? What is the

antidote that Jesus proposes when this impulse appears in our heart or in the heart of any

society or country? To be the last of all and the servant of all; to go to the place where no

one else wants to go, where no one travels, the furthest peripheries; to serve and come to

know the lowly and the rejected. If power had to do with this, if we could allow the

Gospel of Jesus Christ to reach the depths of our lives, then the “globalization of

solidarity” would be a reality.”

5. Paul in Athens

Scripture: Acts of the Apostles 17, 22–29

Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said: “You Athenians, I see that in every

respect you are very religious. For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines, I

even discovered an altar inscribed, “To an Unknown God.” What therefore you

unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all that is in

it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor

is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to

everyone life and breath and everything. He made from one the whole human race to

dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the

boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him

and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us. For “In him we live and

move and have our being,” as even some of your poets have said, “For we too are his

offspring.” Since therefore we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the

divinity is like an image fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and

imagination.

Pope Francis: Message for World Mission Day 2015

“Today, the Church’s mission is faced by the challenge of meeting the needs of all people

to return to their roots and to protect the values of their respective cultures. This means

knowing and respecting other traditions and philosophical systems, and realizing that all

peoples and cultures have the right to be helped from within their own traditions to

enter into the mystery of God’s wisdom and to accept the Gospel of Jesus, who is light

and transforming strength for all cultures.”

P.S. The missionary mysteries are presented in a publication of the Society for the

propagation of the faith, entitled “The meditated missionary Rosary.”