Category Archives: Ad Gentes

Day #227: Ad Gentes 41-42

Today we finish up our reading of the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church.

Article 41 finishes up the chapter on cooperation by looking at the role of the laity and the concrete things they do to cooperate in the Church’s missionary mandate.

In article 42, the Council Fathers conclude the document with some words of gratitude for those who serve the Church as missionaries.

Here are the Scripture citations:

1 Cor. 10:32-33

1 Tim. 2:4

2 Cor. 4:6

And the footnotes:

10. Cf. Ibid. 33, 35.

11. Cf. Pius XII, “Evangelii Praecones” (AAS 1951, 510, 514)John XXIII, “Princeps Pastorum” (AAS 1959, 851-852).

12. Cf. Dogmatic constitution, “Lumen Gentium,” 46.

13. Cf. Pius XII, “Evangelii Praecones” (AAS 1951, 527)John XXIII, “Princeps Pastorum” ( AAS 1959, 864 ) .

Day #226: Ad Gentes 40

We continue on in our look at cooperation in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church.

Article 40 looks at the role played by religious institutes — both active and contemplative.

Here are the Scripture citations:

cf. Matt. 9:38

cf. Acts 16:14

cf. 1 Cor. 3:7

And the footnote:

9. Cf. Dogmatic constitution “Lumen Gentium,” 44.

Day #224: Ad Gentes 38

We continue on in our look at cooperation in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church.

Article 38 is all about the role of the bishop.  The decree highlights that the diocesan bishop has an obligation for the salvation of souls that extends beyond their diocesan borders.

Here is the Scripture citation:

Mark 16:15

And the footnotes:

2. Cf. Dogmatic constitution, “Lumen Gentium,” 23-24.

3. Cf. Benedict XV, “Maximum Illud” (AAS 1919, 453-454); Pius XI, “Rerum Ecclesiae” (AAS 1926, 71-73); Pius XII, “Evangelii Praecones” (AAS 1951, 525-526); Id. “Fidei Donum” (AAS 1957, 241.)

4. Cf. Pius XII, “Fidei Donum” (AAS 1957, 245-246).

5. Decree “Pastoral Duties of Bishops,” 6.

6. Cf . Pius XII, “Fidei Donum” (AAS 1957, 245) .

Day #223: Ad Gentes 35-37

Today in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, we move into the final chapter of the document where we look at “Cooperation.”

The Council Fathers begin Chapter 6 with a reminder that we are all obligated to participate in the spreading of the Gospel (articles 35 and 36).  Part of this is accomplished through the witness of our communities of faith (article 37).

Here are the Scripture citations:

Eph. 4:13

cf. Is. 11:12

Matt. 5:14

Matt. 5:13

cf. Acts 16:9

And the footnote:

1. Cf. Decree, “On Ecumenism,” 12.

Day #222: Ad Gentes 32-34

Today in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, we conclude chapter 5 on planning.

We finish things off with a look at the role of “ecclesiastical institutes and associations” (article 32), conference of religious men and women (article 33), and scientific institutes to help missionaries understand the local cultures (article 34).

Here is the footnote:

9. Cf. Decree “Pastoral Duties of Bishops in the Church” 35, 5-6.

Day #221: Ad Gentes 30-31

Today in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, we continue the Council’s look at planning out the Church’s missionary endeavors.

Our reading today covers the role of the bishop (article 30) and episcopal conferences (article 31) in planning missionary activity.

Here is the Scripture citation:

Acts 4:32

And the footnotes:

7. Cf. Decree, “Pastoral Duties of Bishops in the Church,” 35, 4.

8. Cf. Decree “Pastoral Duties of Bishops in the Church,” 36-38.

Day #220: Ad Gentes 28-29

Today in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, we begin Chapter 5 on “Planning Missionary Activity.”

Article 28 does a nice job of introducing the chapter via a series of Scriptural references that illustrate the point thaqt it is good to be organized with each person doing their own part in service of the Gospel.  Article 29 then goes into the cduties of a central office for the “Propagation of the Faith” to be the working office of the bishops of the world in conducting missionary activity.

Here are the Scripture citations:

cf. Rom. 12:6

cf. 1 Cor. 3:10

cf. John 4:37

cf. 1 Cor. 3:8

1 Cor. 14:40

And the footnotes:

1. Cf. Dogmatic constitution, “Lumen Gentium,” 18.

2. Cf. Dogmatic constitution, “Lumen Gentium,” 23.

3. Cf. Motu proprio, “Apostolica Sollicitudo,” Sept. 15, 1965.

4. Cf. Paul VI, allocution Nov. 21, 1964, in council (AAS 1964).

5. Cf. Benedict XV, “Maximum Illud” (AAS 1019, 39-40).

6. If these missions for special reasons are made subject to other ecclesiastical jurisdictions for a time, it is fitting that this ecclesiastic jurisdiction establish relations with the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith so that in ordering and directing all these missions, a regular and uniform pattern can be realized.

Day #219: Ad Gentes 27

Today we conclude chapter 4 on Missionaries in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church.

Article 27 closes out the chapter with the Council Father’s acknowledgement that no one person can possibly do all that they have laid out is necessary for missionaries to do.  Hence they point to the institutes of missionaries.  There are no lone wolf missionaries.

Here is the footnote:

13. Cf. “On Priestly Ministry and Life,” 10, refers to dioceses and personal prelatures and the like.

Day #218: Ad Gentes 26

In today’s reading from the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, we continue our look at Missionaries.

In today’s passage (article 26), the Council looks at the training these missionaries will require in order to fulfill their task.  This includes knowing the teachings of the Church and also the culture and language of the people they are going to serve.

Here is the Scripture citation:

1 Tim. 4:6

And the footnotes:

7. Cf. Benedict XV, “Maximum Illud” (AAS 1919 440); Pius XII, “Evangelii Praecones” (AAS 1951, 507).

8. Benedict XV, “Maximum Illud” (AAS 1919, 448); Decree S.C.P.F., May 20, 1923 (AAS 1923, 369-370); Pius XII “Saeculo Exeunte” (AAS 1940, 256), “Evangelii Praecones” (AAS 1951, 507)- John XXIII, “Princeps Pastorum” (AAS 1959, 843-844).

9. Decree “On Priestly Training,” 19-21; Apostolic constitution “Sedes Sapientiae,” with general statutes.

10. Pius XII, “Evangelii Praecones” (AAS 1951, 523-524).

11. Benedict XV, “Maximum Illud” (AAS 1919, 448); Pius XII, “Evangelii Praecones” (AAS 1951, 507).

12. Cf. Pius XII, “Fidei Donum” (AAS 1957, 234).