Goa, India — His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, delivered a compelling keynote address at the opening of the Meeting of the International Societies of Apostolic Life (MISAL) 2024, emphasizing the transformative power of Christian love in crossing frontiers.
The global gathering, held from December 2nd to 6th, is hosted by the Society of Pilar, an indigenous missionary society, under the theme "Journeying Together: Encountering New Frontiers."
In his address, Cardinal Tagle highlighted the concept of "frontiers" as central to the mission of evangelization, offering a threefold interpretation.
He described frontiers as geographic and cultural boundaries that must be understood for effective ministry, unexplored areas calling for bold outreach, and new fields of knowledge such as digital technology and synodality that demand innovative approaches.
“Jesus crossed territorial and cultural boundaries to show the universality of God's love,” he remarked, urging participants to follow Christ's example in engaging with diverse cultures and redefining barriers for mutual understanding.
The opening session also featured insights from other key Church leaders:
- Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, called on Societies of Apostolic Life (SAL) to embrace the Church's synodal challenges and draw inspiration from missionary saints such as St. Francis Xavier and St. Joseph Vaz.
- Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, lauded SAL members as “lights in the world, breaking new frontiers,” emphasizing their adaptability and commitment to apostolic zeal.
- Fr. Nazareth Fernandes, Superior General of the Society of Pilar, described MISAL 2024 as a unique opportunity for SAL leaders to deepen their mission-driven collaboration.
The inauguration ceremony was marked by a traditional lamp lighting, symbolizing hope and spiritual enlightenment. Cardinal Tagle, along with Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop Girelli, and Fr. Fernandes, performed the honors.
The event also unveiled significant publications, including The Social Dynamism of Catholic Education with Special Reference to Indiaby Dr. Fr. Adrian Fernandes SFX.
A public reception celebrated the rich legacy of the Society of Pilar, featuring a musical fusion ensemble led by Joe D’Costa
With representatives from 29 Societies of Apostolic Life in attendance, MISAL 2024 has become a landmark event, fostering unity and collective purpose.
As the meeting progresses, SAL leaders will engage in dialogues and workshops aimed at addressing global challenges and inspiring action for a renewed commitment to evangelization.
“This gathering is not only a celebration of past achievements but a call to boldly embrace new frontiers,” Cardinal Tagle affirmed.
MISAL 2024 promises to empower the global missionary community to witness the boundless love of Christ with courage and compassion.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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