蜜桃交友

By Lisa Zengarini

鈥淭he world needs dialogue and peace. And it needs men and women who bear witness to it鈥�. Addressing students of the Pontifical Urban College for the Propagation of the Faith (Pontificio Collegio Urbano "de Propaganda Fide") on Saturday, Pope Francis urged them to follow the example of those 鈥渕artyrs of dialogue鈥� who,  鈥渉ave courageously traveled this road to be peacebuilders."

The College was established in the 17th Century by Pope Urban VIII for the purpose of training missionaries to spread the Gospel around the world. It comes under the direct authority of the Dicastery for Evangelization (formerly known as the Congregation de Propaganda Fide, and then for the Evangelization of Peoples).

Facing new missionary challenges with creativeness

In his address in the Consistory Hall, Pope Francis remarked that its creation 鈥渨as an important intuition鈥�, which missionaries today are called 鈥渢o welcome and interpret in a creative way鈥�, allowing themselves 鈥渢o be challenged by the many needs and questions鈥� of our times.

Recalling the theme chosen for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Congregation de Propaganda Fide, 鈥淪o that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach鈥�, Pope Francis highlighted three characteristics needed for true disciple-missionaries close to God and to their brothers and sisters.

The courage of authenticity to be credible missionaries

The first quality is the courage of authenticity, which is what make missionaries credible, like Jesus was. In fact, the Pope said, closeness to God and our brothers and sisters is realized and strengthened to the extent that they 鈥渉ave the courage to strip off the masks鈥� they wear, 鈥減erhaps to appear perfect, impeccable and respectful."

The Pope therefore warned the students against the 鈥渢emptation of formalism鈥� or the fascination of the "role" they hold, like the Pharisees did.

Going out of oneself

The second quality needed is the ability 鈥渢o go out of oneself鈥�, moving away from mental schemes and departing from our comfort zones. 鈥淥therwise鈥�, the Pope said 鈥渨e risk adoring a God who is only a projection of our needs, and therefore an 鈥榠dol鈥�, and not even experiencing authentic encounters with others鈥�.

Live the challenge of fraternity without fear

Noting that their diverse cultural backgrounds already offer them the opportunity to experience the richness of diversity during their formation in Rome, Pope Francis encouraged the Propaganda Fide students 鈥渢o live the challenge of fraternity without fear, even when it requires hard work and sacrifices."

Openness to dialogue to build peace

Finally, the third quality required of a disciple-missionary is openness to dialogue: first  of all with God, in prayer, and then with others. 鈥淭he world 鈥� stressed the Pope - needs dialogue, it needs peace. And it needs men and women who bear witness to it." Concluding, he, therefore, urged the students at the Propaganda Fide College to place themselves  鈥渁t the school of those 鈥榤artyrs of dialogue鈥欌��, who, even in some of their  countries, 鈥渉ave courageously traveled this road to be peacebuilders.鈥�