In his intention for May, 2023, Pope Francis prays that ecclesial movements and groups might daily rediscover their evangelizing mission.
By Christopher Wells
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is dedicating his May prayer intention to ecclesial movements and groups, which says are a “gift” and a “treasure” in the Church.
Dialogue at the service of mission
In his video-message, published each month by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Pope Francis says, “These movements renew the Church with their capacity for dialogue at the service of her evangelizing mission.” He notes, too, that each group has its own unique charism, which allows them to demonstrate both the beauty and the novelty of the Gospel proclamation.
Each charism is different, he explains, thanks to the creativity that marks the various groups and movements. Although they seem to be speaking different languages, by understanding themselves, they are able to make themselves understood.
At the same time, the Pope warns them to avoid the temptation of turning in on themselves, by inviting them to continue to work “at the service of the Bishops and the parishes.”
Always on the move
Pope Francis encourages them to “always be on the move, responding to the impulse of the Holy Spirit to the challenges in today’s world,” while remaining “in harmony with the Church, since harmony is the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Father concludes his message with the prayer “that ecclesial movements and groups may daily rediscover their mission, an evangelizing mission, and that they place their own charisms at the service of the world’s needs.”
Many charisms, one mission
In its press release promoting this month’s prayer intention, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network highlights a number of ecclesial movements and lay associations spreading the Gospel throughout the world, including, Shalom, Communion and Liberation, New Horizons, the Sant’Egidio Community, and Focolare: “Many different charisms, one sole mission: proclaiming the Gospel to different places and in different ways.”
The press release explains that “Ecclesial movements are groups of people committed to an apostolate with their own specific charism, which the Holy Spirit grants for the common good of the Church. Composed mainly of members of the lay faithful, the search for a personal encounter with Christ unites them. At the same time, at the service of the Gospel, they dialogue with today’s women and men, wherever they are.”
The Pope Video is an official global initiative with the purpose of disseminating the Holy Father’s monthly prayer intentions. It is carried out by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer). Since 2016, The Pope Video has had more than 196 million views across all the Vatican’s social networks, and is translated into more than 23 languages, receiving press coverage in 114 countries. The videos are produced and created by The Pope Video Prayer Network team, coordinated by Andrea Sarubbi, and distributed by La Machi Communication for Good Causes. The project is sponsored by Vatican Media. More information: The Pope Video.
