Visit to the Saint-Gabriel Mission (6 May 1980)

On Tuesday, 6 May 1980, the Holy Father addressed the Saint-Gabriel Mission in Kisangani (Zaire). In his speech, the Pope reminded the missionaries that, if they are disappointed at seeming lack of progress, “You prepare the ground where others will harvest.” 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On the occasion of this visit to the Saint-Gabriel Mission, I would like to address a word of admiration and encouragement to you, which will also apply to all the mission posts scattered in this country and the other African countries. I would have liked to visit more of them, on the outskirts of the big cities, like here, or in the middle of the villages in the forest or the bush. The shortness of the stay does not allow it. Let everyone at least know how much the Pope appreciates this fine service of evangelization and thanks them, in the name of the Church.

1. First of all I salute the dedicated staff of these mission stations. They are zealous priests, often from afar. They are religious, who are called by the expressive name of Brothers, and whose daily, humble and effective devotion I would like to underline since the dawn of evangelization: through their competence in multiple fields, they have contributed a great deal to the establishment and the practical and pedagogical functioning of these mission stations. They are nuns, whose consecrated life is radiant with the presence of the Lord and who ensure, thanks to the ease of their contacts with families, a magnificent work of education, charity and human promotion.

It is also lay people who cooperate in all these tasks.

Some members of these missions live as if in advanced detachment, in a brand new sector of evangelization; more often, today, they live as a team, and their post, with its chapel and its various installations, is a rallying point for the Christians dispersed in the neighborhoods or in the surrounding villages. In greeting especially those of Saint-Gabriel whom I have the joy of meeting here, with their parishioners, I greet and warmly thank all the others.

2. From my heart rise some thoughts which I simply entrust to you.

In my eyes, the post of mission evokes first of all the modesty of the beginnings: modesty of the missionary personnel very often, modesty of the Christian communities, modesty of the pedagogical and material means. In fact, the life of these evangelizers and their first disciples is very close to the poverty of the Gospel and the simplicity of the first Christian communities described to us by the Acts of the Apostles[ 1 ] . Paul, Barnabas and so many other disciples arrived there in a way with their bare hands, having only the Good News to share, the fervor of their love and the assurance of the Holy Spirit. Yes, dear friends, the faith and charity that inhabit your people, this is what first makes your originality, your richness, your dynamism.

3. And, here, I want to address a special thought to all those who, in certain difficult mission positions, experience the test of perseverance and even of being buried in solitude and oblivion. For you are not content to pass by: you dwell in the midst of those whose life you have adopted. You remain there patiently, even if you have to sow the Gospel for a long time without yet witnessing the germination and flowering. The lamp of your faith and your charity then seems to burn in vain. But nothing is lost of what is thus given. A mysterious solidarity connects all the apostles. You prepare the ground where others will harvest. Remain faithful servants.

In any case, you have spared no effort. You undertook and pursued this apostolic initiative at the cost of great fatigue, moral and also physical, sometimes to the point of being exhausted, in a climate to which you were not accustomed and in precarious living conditions.

I especially think of you when I reread the pages of Saint Paul - whose name I took - on the tribulations of the apostolic ministry, of which he draws up an impressive list[ 2 ] . I wish, dear friends, that you also know his hope and his joy, while waiting for the Lord's reward.

4. Your apostolic work takes the ordinary and necessary paths of evangelization.

First make contact, manifest the Lord's love for all, not only benevolent attention, but a concrete love that does not neglect the various forms of mutual aid, whether it be school, dispensary, agricultural projects, human promotion of all kinds. We know, in fact, that you are there first of all to respond to God's hunger, to the need for his Word which enlightens and comforts hearts, elevates them and brings about renewal in men and in society. This is the important part of your ministry: testimony and proclamation of the Gospel, catechesis of those who ask to be initiated into the faith, long preparation for the sacraments, especially baptism and Eucharist, encouragement for prayer, formation of awareness of human and Christian responsibilities.

5. You would quickly be overwhelmed if you wanted to monopolize all the tasks. And it wouldn't be a real Church foundation. Very quickly, you seek to associate yourself with disciples, catechists, animators, who in turn become evangelizers , a little like Saint Paul who designated what were then called “elders”, trusting in the Lord[ 3 ]. This is where the vitality of the mission lies.

The purely evangelical service that you want to render to these peoples for the salvation of which you have sacrificed everything, must tend in fact to ensure that the sons of these peoples acquire their Christian and ecclesial maturity, and guide by themselves the work begun.

6. The fine work you are doing deserves the solidarity of the whole local Church and that of sister Churches throughout the world.

I am especially happy to be here, and to speak from here to all the members of the mission stations. It is, so to speak, a moment of “reunion”, for me and for the whole Church that I represent. Yes, the Church finds herself with you, missionaries - whether you are Zairians, Africans or come from afar -, because she herself must be completely and at all times “missionary”. Thus extends far and deep the action of “salt” and “leaven” of which the Gospel speaks.

7. The charge I inherited from the Apostle Peter is to unite all Christians. It is at the same time to maintain the missionary zeal. May the Lord bless you and all similar mission positions!

May he bless all the members of this mission: parents, children, young people, old people, and especially those who suffer! I entrust your community to the Virgin Mary, our Mother, towards whom the name of the angel Gabriel, patron saint of this parish, directs us quite spontaneously. May the peace of Christ always be with you! With my affectionate Apostolic Blessing.

 [ 1 ] Cfr. Act . 13. 14 ss.

 [ 2 ] Cfr. 2 Cor . 4.7-18; 6, 1-10.

 [ 3 ] Cfr. Act . 14, 23.

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