Families in mission
Encyclopedia
The Families in Mission are families coming from the Neocatechumenal Way
that offer themselves voluntarily and freely, leaving their homes, work and friends to go in mission
in the World according to the needs of the Neocatechumenal Way, wherever they are requested by the bishop
s of the Catholic Church, where evangelization, implantation of the church (implantatio ecclesiae) and/or the foundation of the Neocatechumenal Way is necessary.
The families give their readiness to go to any part of the world, freely, confiding in Divine Providence, and receiving their destination in purpose-held meetings, called (convivences of the families), by the Responsible Team of the Neocatechumenal Way (currently made up of Kiko Arguello
, Carmen Hernandez and Father Mario Pezzi, a priest). Their sending usually takes place in the presence of the local Bishop in an official ceremony.
The families in Mission remain united with the original parish
and Neocatechumenal Community, towards which they periodically return. Moreover, they are free to interrupt or terminate their missionary experienceat any moment.
The latest sending of two hundred families in mission happened on the 12th of January 2006, after an audience with Pope Benedict XVI.
There are currently around 500 families in mission around the world, in all six continents.
Neocatechumenal Way
The Neocatechumenal Way, also known as the Neocatechumenate, NC Way or, colloquially, The Way or The Neocats is an itinerary within the Catholic Church dedicated to the Christian formation of adults...
that offer themselves voluntarily and freely, leaving their homes, work and friends to go in mission
Mission (Christian)
Christian missionary activities often involve sending individuals and groups , to foreign countries and to places in their own homeland. This has frequently involved not only evangelization , but also humanitarian work, especially among the poor and disadvantaged...
in the World according to the needs of the Neocatechumenal Way, wherever they are requested by the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of the Catholic Church, where evangelization, implantation of the church (implantatio ecclesiae) and/or the foundation of the Neocatechumenal Way is necessary.
The families give their readiness to go to any part of the world, freely, confiding in Divine Providence, and receiving their destination in purpose-held meetings, called (convivences of the families), by the Responsible Team of the Neocatechumenal Way (currently made up of Kiko Arguello
Kiko Argüello
Francisco José Eduardo Argüello is a Spanish artist and, together with Carmen Hernández, co-initiator of the Neocatechumenal Way. Argüello was born in León, He studied fine arts at the Royal Academy of San Fernando in Madrid and in 1959 was awarded a Special National Prize for Painting...
, Carmen Hernandez and Father Mario Pezzi, a priest). Their sending usually takes place in the presence of the local Bishop in an official ceremony.
The families in Mission remain united with the original parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
and Neocatechumenal Community, towards which they periodically return. Moreover, they are free to interrupt or terminate their missionary experienceat any moment.
The latest sending of two hundred families in mission happened on the 12th of January 2006, after an audience with Pope Benedict XVI.
There are currently around 500 families in mission around the world, in all six continents.
External links
- Testimonies of families in mission.
- http://www.camminoneocatecumenale.it/en/index.asp