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A Neocatechumenal Way rally involving 150,000 representatives from 135 countries gathered together on Saturday to thank God for the 50 years of their presence in Rome.
“Only a Church that renounces the world announces the Lord well. Only a Church free from power and money, free from triumphalism and clericalism, testifies in a credible way that Christ liberates man,” Pope Francis told the group.
He then sent 34 new “mission ad gentes” (mission to nations) to proclaim the Gospel in various parts of the world.
He warned them not to dictate to others or follow pre-ordained scripts, but to accompany the faithful patiently.
During the rally Francis also sent another 25 communities to parishes of Rome Diocese.
“Go!” he said. The heart of the mission is to witness that God loves us.
At the same time, the missionary movement must respect different cultures and not try to conquer souls as it spreads the faith around the world.
Francis said when a missionary goes out, he leaves with “only the baggage of trust” in the poor Jesus who did not have anywhere to lay His head.
“To go, you must be light. To proclaim, it is necessary to renounce,” he said.
He told members that a heart freed of attachments broadens and becomes available to God and to others. One who renounces transitory things out of love, embraces the great treasure of freedom.”
The Neocatechumenal Way began in Madrid in 1964. It is dedicated to post- and pre-baptismal formation of Christians, based on the word of God, the Eucharist and the Christian community.
It engages families who through their witness and life help establish the Church’s presence in countries where it is absent or tiny. The group also seeks to revive and strengthen the presence of Catholic communities in difficult and highly secularised areas.
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