Disciples In Mission
Prayer Campaign for 2004

Información en español

There are many diverse spiritualities and ministries in our Church. We may, for example, distinguish among Irish, Italian, Hispanic, or African American spiritualities, among Benedictine, Carmelite, Franciscan, or Jesuit spiritualities, and among lay, clerical, or religious ministries. Yet there is but one foundational Christian spirituality and ministry for all Catholics: disciples in mission. All life and activity in the Church flows from this.

Vibrant prayer life in communion with God nourishes and inspires this spirituality/ministry. Prayer is the life-breath of our extended engagement with Christ and the very soul of our apostolate to those who do not know him. Prayer enlightens our minds and enflames our love. Prayer purifies our motives and energizes our actions. Prayer awakens our gratefulness and sustains our joy. Our prayer may be vocal or mental, private, or liturgical. But every one of us must be a pray-er, whether young or old, woman or man, active or shut in.

As we approach the Disciples in Mission Lenten Season 2004, we must re-dedicate ourselves to fidelity in prayer to our God. We must reflect upon the father, who so loved the world and us that he gave his only Son. We should regularly recite the Lord’s Prayer, not mechanically but with attention, not out of habit but sincerity.

We must relate personally to Christ, to whom we have committed ourselves as disciples in mission. We live in him and he lives in us. He is our Gospel and Our Salvation. Because he has so loved us, we must share him-not out of arrogance but out of genuine compassion for other people. We cannot bear it that so many of our brothers and sisters do not find ultimate hope and meaning in their lives. So many are unaware of the depth of Christ’s love for them.

We must be open to the Holy Spirit, because He empowers us to profess our faith courageously and love others genuinely. Our spirituality will be sterile without the Spirit, our ministry will be fruitless without his light and fire. For he is source of all grace-the faith to believe in Christ as Lord, conversion to repent of sins, and prayer that cries out “Abba, Father!” May we rejoice in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

- By Dr. George St. Laurent, St. Juliana Falconieri Church

Información en español

Disciples in Mission | Discipulos Misioneros | Diocesan Leadership Team | Parishes Implementing DM | Implementation Years | Upcoming Events