Missionary Animation within Pontifical Magisterium and Pastoral

Abstract

The magisterium of Pope Francis is a clear call to every single baptized catholic and the whole Church to be in a “permanent state of mission”. The article presents a summary of the pontifical magisterium and pastoral practices from before Second Vatican Council to the current Pope regarding missionary animation as pastoral instrument for every baptized person to participate in the mission of the Church. It aims at showing how the idea that the universal and missionary spirit of the Gospel is a responsibility of every baptized catholic has been strengthened within the Church with the purpose that it becomes the common self-understanding of Christians and Christian communities. Both the pontifical magisterium and pastoral practices of the popes concerning universal Church have contributed to this idea, particularly through the Pontifical Mission Societies and other charismatic initiatives linked to missionary institutions. Thus, the theological-pastoral concept of missionary animation has gradually been developed, both in meaning and method. The historical overview makes possible to understand that though Pope Francis does not literally use the expression missionary animation, he does introduce its content and forms into his magisterium, gestures, and actions; as well as into his pastoral magisterium towards the universal Church, so every baptized person becomes a missionary disciple and provides hope based on “a new chapter of evangelization”.