Missionaries to spread the Good News in Gozo

The Gozitan Diocese yesterday launched its 2008-2009 Diocesan Mission, which will be held in celebration of the Pauline Year.

The mission will last the entire forthcoming pastoral year and will start at the beginning of next month.

The theme chosen for the mission, which will mainly target Gozitan families, was extracted from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians, L-Imħabba ta' Kristu Ssuqna - Christ's love guides us.

The mission will be divided into four phases. The first will be a formation period, in which the lay people will undergo eight weeks of training and preparation prior to becoming "missionaries", together with priests and other religious people.

The second phase is one of mission and announcement, which commences shortly before the Epiphany. Here, a large number of house-visits in parishes will be held, where two missionaries at a time will go and spread the Good News.

The third phase, which falls directly during the Lenten period, will be one of conversion and celebration. This is a period of spiritual exercises, prayer, penance and almsgiving. This phase will further consolidate the work done by the missionaries during the second phase.

The last phase will reach its apex during Easter, where the mystery of death and the resurrection of Christ are celebrated. This phase is one of thanksgiving and proposals, where the work done by the missionaries will be renewed.