Reflection 245                      Previous reflections                   Resolution                The 16 Documents of Vatican II 

Based on the Vatican 2 document:
On the Mission Activity of the Church
Ad Gentes  - 27

This article speaks about missionary congregations

For many centuries, these institutes have borne the burden of the day. Often vast territories were committed to them  for evangelization, and there they gathered together a new people for God, a local church.

Most if not all missionary congregations are now in decline.
Many reasons for the decline: Catholic families having fewer children, secularisation of the world etc

Another reason common to many congregations: as they became established in a mission area, they lost their missionary drive.
They forgot they were meant to be marines opening new fronts
....and became local policeman keeping order in established areas

Jesus, please help missionary congregations keep their zeal alive