Mission priests and religious:
Share the presence of Christ

		Propagation  of the Faith  Msgr. Delbert  Schmelzer

"Even if I have to die for the faith, I will bring the Eucharist to others."

So states Fr. Richard Manalo, a newly ordained priest in the Diocese of Jolo in the Philippines. He's determined to bring that presence of Christ to his people who have suffered greatly from the persecution of Catholics and the church.

Courageous witnesses

Despite the risks to their own lives, 15 young men, filled with a desire to share the loving presence of Christ and His Gospel, have committed themselves, as had Father Manalo, to the period of formation necessary to prepare to serve as priests in the same part of the Philippines.

These dedicated seminarians want to bring Jesus Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament, to the poor and persecuted of their village - willing, if necessary, to be martyrs for the faith.

Like Father Manalo, John Manu also understands the call to the priesthood - and serving where there is, as he described it, "strong opposition to Christianity." Finishing his studies at a seminary in Sehore in the north of India, he and his 27 brother seminarians "are prepared to be courageous witnesses for Jesus Christ." As priests, in their celebrations of the Eucharist, they know they will make Christ present in His Body and Blood for the suffering, the persecuted, and the poor.

Following Him

In a message issued just a few months before his death, our great missionary Pope John Paul II said: "Present in the Eucharist, the same Redeemer who saw the needy crowds and was filled with compassion . . . continues through the centuries to show compassion for humanity poor and suffering."

In the missions today, many young men are hearing the Lord's call to "Follow Him!" as priests, but they lack the financial help to complete their studies.

Receive support

Through help offered to the Propagation of the Faith/St. Peter Apostle, these 30,000 mission major seminarians receive that much needed support for their studies. And through that support, the powerful presence of the Savior reaches the poor of the missions - the light and hope of Jesus Christ reaches our suffering brothers and sisters in the Developing World.

Donations to the Propagation of the Faith/St. Peter Apostle also support some 10,000 women and men as they prepare to be loving witnesses to Jesus Christ as Religious Sisters and Brothers.

Religious orders

The Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy in Nnewi, Nigeria, for example, were "formed to bear witness to the mercy of God by following in the footsteps of Jesus and Mary."

As one of the novices receiving help explains: "Our origin and driving force is the Eucharistic Jesus. We carry out our work with the spirit of love and mercy of our Sacramental Lord and our Blessed Virgin to those most in need."

The Sisters staff nursery, elementary, and secondary schools. They know that the parents who bring their children there - poor farmers and day laborers - cannot pay for the education. But the Sisters press on in their work. "We want to bring Christ, the light of the world, to those most in need. We just know that somehow God will provide for us," says one.

A year's help to educate a mission seminarian is $700 - about $60 a month. Support for the novice year of formation for Religious Sisters and Brothers is $300 - some $25 a month.

Father Manalo and the seminarians in the Philippines, John Manu, and the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy are just a few examples of the life-giving, hope-filled difference that missionary priests and Religious are making for the poorest in our human family. Coming in the name of Christ, these priests and Religious, over a lifetime, will invite countless people to Jesus and to the church - and will make present the healing, saving love of Jesus Himself.

Whatever help you can offer would be a real blessing for these seminarians and novices. While you would not know by name the young person whose vocation you help to support, you would be sure of many prayers offered for you. Remember, too, that your prayers are your greatest gift to the missions. May the Lord bless you as you reach out as a missionary!

Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer is director of the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Madison. Contributions to the Propagation of the Faith/St. Peter Apostle may be sent to: P.O. Box 44983, Madison, WI  53744.