STATELESSNESS
Stateless people from all over the world live in situations of limbo, lacking a nationality, which prevents them access to the basic rights of any citizen of a country. The causes of statelessness are varied, including bureaucratic obstacles, but they all result in the deprivation of the dignity deserved by any human being. This underlines the importance of lobbying to end statelessness in the world.
MISSION IS FUN
Itinerancy and Mission
BY Fr Edgardo Vizcarra MCCJ
A PICTURE of the Holy Family on their flight to Egypt hangs on the sanctuary wall of the chapel of the Comboni Missionaries in Paranaque, Philippines. The blessed Mother appears on the donkey carrying the baby Jesus while St Joseph walks beside them. Surely, it was a tough journey for the family, with Mary having just given birth to Jesus, and St Joseph forced to be beside his wife and new born child constantly. He had to lead them to safety and provide for their needs in a foreign land.
Hence, they had to remain in Egypt until the passing of King Herod. As they trod the roads to Egypt, one can surmise that they met some people along the way and as foreigners, they certainly experienced and were exposed not only to the harsh realities of the journey, but also to the fact that they were far away from their beloved homeland and their own people. One can imagine Jesus growing in age and wisdom, surrounded by his loving parents, living in harmony with his neighbours and making friends with the children around him. From Bethlehem, Jesus the incarnated Word of God, the fulfilment of God’s promise to Moses, lived and touched the very soil of Egypt, with his family, as people on the move.
This particular episode in the life of the Holy Family is an image not only of migration and displaced people, but also of mission and of missionary life. Starting with the Old Testament, Abraham, our forefather in faith, had to leave his land, Israel and travel to the land of milk and honey. In the New Testament, Jesus and his apostles cross seas and mountains, and St Paul, the great itinerant missionary of the gentiles, takes the gospel to the four corners of the world.
Among great missionaries, St Francis Xavier preached the gospel in the far east, and St Daniel Comboni journeyed and traversed the great Nile River in the name of the African Mission. Missionaries have been doing the same and have experienced similar challenges throughout history, entering villages in forests and deserts armed with only the gospel and their commitment to the establishment of God’s kingdom here on earth, giving witness to their life of faith and love for the people and trying to emulate the shepherd’s love for his sheep.
The late Pope Francis once commented that migrant people and workers scattered all over the world are like ‘smugglers of faith’; wherever they are, the Church lives and prospers. In all circumstances and places, the Christian faith is proclaimed and made visible through their lives. Just like seeds planted in good soil, the gospel is spread and enriches peoples’ lives.
THE JUBILEE OF YOUTH
As part of the celebrations of the Jubilee 2025- Pilgrims of Hope, the Jubilee of Youth will take place in Rome from 28 July – 3 August 2025. It aims to provide young people with an opportunity to reflect on their vocation and find their path in service, particularly within the Church. The late Pope Francis called the youth to envision themselves as “pilgrims of hope,” encouraging them to generously dedicate their lives to serving others in response to God’s love.