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During his 2023 series of catechesis on “A passion for evangelization,” late Pope Francis dedicated each Wednesday general audience to a saint who exemplifies this passion. Here’s a look at 12 of the men and women he has cited who gave their lives to Christ and to evangelization.
Freddie Bernardino, a lay missionary from the Philippines, has been serving in Zambia, at a mission station entrusted to the Comboni Missionaries. For the past four years, he has served as Principal of the Technical Vocational School in Chikowa, where he accompanies young people through education while sharing in the life and mission of the local community.
For the past 100 years (1927-2026), the Church has been observing World Mission Day. Over the course of this century, there have been nine popes, each enhancing this event with their messages, insights, and inspiration. The current piece simply presents a synthetic overview following the pivotal mission documents and encyclicals of each pope.
According to the teaching of the Catholic Church, water is a common good, the adequate management of which contributes to the realization of the common good of the entire human family. It is true that aqua fons vitae, “water is a source of life”.
Ezekiel’s biblical vision of living water flowing from the sanctuary stands in sharp contrast to the reality of the water crisis we face. According to the United Nations UN News, 1.7 billion people lack basic hygiene services at home, and 2.1 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water!
This year’s theme of the Season of Creation, “Living Water”, explores Ezekiel, 47:9, 12 as a powerful biblical vision of hope and ecological healing. The image of living water reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole creation.
St. Francis told stories that were retold and passed down across generations. They invited hearers to place themselves within the narratives and imagine themselves living in a way more aligned with the Gospel in everyday life.
Rather than imagine St. Francis as some sort of medieval superhero, we would do well to remember his full humanity and lifelong journey of conversion, including the inevitable stumbles and mistakes he made along the way. In this way, he models for us how to embrace an authentic journey of faith.
Eight hundred years after his death, Francis of Assisi’s legacy of poverty, peace, and reverence for nature continues to influence Catholic life worldwide, from the Franciscan order to the papacy’s stance on social and environmental justice.
The Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus have been present in Asia since 1988, focusing on first evangelization, vocation promotion, and formation. Their work prioritizes mission awareness and the formation of new candidates while reaching out to those who have not yet encountered the Gospel.
