Columban Missionaries throughout the world join with Catholics in welcoming the joyful news of the election of Pope Francis. Like Simon, for whom the new name Peter had a deep significance, the new Pope’s decision to assume the name Francis seems to indicate his strong desire to lead the Church in prayer, simplicity of life and the care of creation.
On March 19th, the Feast of St Joseph, Pope Francis said in his Homily that, "The vocation of being a protector, like St Joseph, is not just something involving us Christians alone.
It also has a prior dimension which is simply human, involving everyone. We are to be protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment."
As a member of a Missionary Society, I believe that his words carry a special message. The vocation of the missionary Church is to discern the presence of Christ within all expressions of human life and to give that presence visible and tangible expression.
As Christians on a missionary pilgrimage, we are called to fan the sparks of hope enkindled by Christ living among us in sometimes yet unknown ways, into a fire in human hearts. We pray that Pope Francis will be blessed abundantly with the gifts of faith and wisdom, compassion and zeal in being a witness of the Good News of Jesus Christ not only to Catholics, but to all peoples.
Fr Kevin O'Neill SSC is the Superior General of the Missionary Society of St Columban.
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