Ponce (Puerto Rico). From 19 to 24 November 2024, the 6th American Missionary Congress (CAM6) was held at the Juan Pachín Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce, Puerto Rico with more than 1300 participants, coming from 42 nations of the American continent and all the Dioceses of Puerto Rico, on the theme “America, with the power of the Spirit, witnesses of Christ!”
The General Councilor of the Missions of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora, and Sister Anna Maria Geuna, Sector collaborator, also participated in the Congress, along with various FMA from the American Continent.
The event was held in the Caribbean for the first time in 47 years. These Congresses began in 1977 in Mexico, while the last was celebrated in Bolivia in 2018, and the next will be in Brazil, announced during the solemn Eucharistic Celebration of Christ the King at the end of the Congress.
The CAM6 was prepared and coordinated in synodality by the Church of Puerto Rico, the National Directorates of the Pontifical Mission Societies of America and the Pontifical Mission Societies of Rome.
“Evangelizers with the Spirit, to the ends of the earth” was the theme developed. The logo was composed of the “torch of faith” – representing the fire of the Holy Spirit as protagonist of the mission – from the globe of earth – symbol of commitment to the mission ad gentes – by the Virgin Mary “Star of Evangelization”, with the invocation to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of America, and from the cross of Jesus Christ that embraces all peoples.
At the opening, with the Eucharistic Celebration in the Auditorium presided by Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, Archbishop emeritus of Venezuela and delegate of Pope Francis to preside over this special event, a very dense program of interventions was followed, missionary testimonies, exchange of ideas and group work, with rich moments of sharing.
Through the themes developed during the Conference, three aspects were particularly deepened: “With the power of the Spirit”; “Witnesses of Christ”; “To the ends of the world”.
The Church of Puerto Rico has involved all: lay people, religious, seminarians, young people, parishes welcomed and with enthusiasm, care and willingness to make everyone feel at home. The Congress was attended to in detail with a profound theological reflection on today’s mission, from which emerged the witness of a living Church, lively, colored in many colors, that has nourished to renew the fire of missionary passion.
Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora and Sister Anna Maria Geuna had the opportunity to share the joy of meeting each other personally and living this very significant experience at the very beginning of the Triennial preparation for the 150th of the First Missionary Expedition, with the various FMA’s present, Provincial Coordinators of the missions, who expressed gratitude for participating in this great event.
Here are some of the resonances:
“Sincerely, the experience of CAM 6 was for me a strong witness to the laity who, in the joy of proclaiming the Gospel, dedicate themselves to service. Here we have experienced the path outlined in the Second Vatican Council and urged by the teaching of Pope Francis. Thank you for all the testimonies of fraternity and tenacity in the style of missionary discipleship.”
“For me it was an experience of ecclesial communion and with the Institute. On the first day I realized that, with the apostolic delegate and many bishops present, Peter and the Twelve were among us. It seemed to me that there was not much difference between us and the early church. This Congress has urged me to give quality formation to young people, so that they open their hearts to the missionary vocation. It was a beautiful experience of ecclesial communion and of the Institute.”
“The experience of CAM 6 was for me a grace from the Lord, who allowed me to open my eyes wide, but also my heart. To touch with hand what our presence means for the people, to bring the people closer, it was very enriching. I received more than I thought to offer. Thank you for this opportunity.”
“The CAM6 has given us a new missionary impetus, as FMAs who walk together in listening to the Spirit, to be missionary witnesses of Christ where the Lord has called us to sow His gospel starting from Salesian spirituality. I feel proud to belong to an Institute that from its origins has been missionary: to proclaim Jesus with our lives”.
“The Congress strengthened and renewed my vocation as a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians and my missionary zeal. I take home the commitment to renew every day the Yes to Jesus and to the mission that he entrusts to me.”
Pope Francis, in the Message addressed to Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo and the Congress members, he recalled: “This is the foundation of the mission: recognize ourselves as children, touched by the mercy of God. (…) The foundation of the mission is the experience of God, the encounter in love with Jesus, He reveals to us the ‘Good News’, shows us the Father.”
And he urged, imitating the example of dedication and supported by the motherly care and provident of Mary, to “always be His missionary disciples to the ends of the earth.”
