Pope Francis: Christian mission is not proselytising - but sharing the flame that warms the soul

On Sunday, 20 October, after the Angelus, Pope Francis addressed thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square, saying: "Today is World Mission Day. What is the mission of the Church? To spread throughout the world the flame of faith that Jesus has lighted in the world: faith in God who is Father, Love, and Mercy.

"The method of the Christian mission is not proselytism, but that the sharing of the flame that warms the soul. I thank all those who through prayer and concrete help sustain the work of the missions ...

"On this Day, we are close to all men and women missionaries, who work without making noise, and who give their lives."

Pope Francis went on to describe the Italian lay missionary Afra Martinelli, who worked for many years in Nigeria. He said: "One day she was killed in a robbery; everyone wept, Christians and Muslims. They really loved her! She announced the Gospel with her life, with the works she accomplished, a centre of instruction; in this way she spread the flame of faith, she fought the good fight. Let us think about this our sister, and greet her with applause, all of us!

Afra Martinelli was born in Civilerghe. She was not linked to any religious institution, but lived in Nigeria for more than 30 years, where she founded and directed the Regina Mundi Centre: a computer school and school for boys, in Ogwashi - Ukwu, in the diocese of Issele-Uku. On the morning of 27 September her colleagues found her in her room, seriously wounded in the neck with a machete wound, most likely due to an attempted robbery. She was rushed to the nearest hospital but died from her injuries, aged 78 on 9 October.

Source: VIS