AMERICA/UNITED STATES – Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus at the center of the novena on World Mission Day
New York (Agenzia Fides) – “I would like to be a missionary not only for a few years, but I would like to have been one from the creation of the world and to be one until the consummation of the centuries.” These are the words of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, patron saint of missions (Story of a Soul, Manuscript B, f. 3r). In preparation for World Mission Day on October 20, the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of the United States, in collaboration with the Hallow prayer app, are offering the opportunity to unite globally starting October 11 in a novena dedicated to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, patron saint of missions, who did not even touch a mission land and whose life was devoted to “loving and making Jesus loved”.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches), will lead the novena in English, offering daily reflections to accompany the prayer. Among the members of the international network of OPMs participating in the novena, we also include Sister Regina da Costa Pedro, national director of the Brazilian OPMs, who will lead the novena in Portuguese, and Father José María Calderón, national director of the Spanish OPMs, who will lead the novena in Spanish.
The novena focuses on the life of Saint Teresa and her deep dedication to spreading the Gospel through small acts of charity. Known for her “little way,” Saint Thérèse is one of the most beloved saints of Catholics around the world.
Participants will be able to take part in the novena using the Hallow app, which invites participants from around the world to pray together in their native language thanks to the collaboration of the international OPM network. By downloading the app, users can access guided prayers, daily reflections, and special features for a spiritual journey with the patron saint of missions. Participants can also follow the novena through the social channels of the Pontifical Mission Societies (Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn).
(EG) (Agence Fides 8/10/2024)
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