Ponce, Puerto Rico — This week, the Sixth American Missionary Congress (CAM6) brings together 1,200 of clergy, religious, and laypeople in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to renew the Church’s missionary zeal across the Americas. With the theme “America, with the Power of the Spirit, Witnesses to Christ”, the Nov. 19-24 congress emphasizes the Church’s call to mission, rooted in the Gospel.
“Go, Invite, and Share”: Archbishop Nappa’s Reflections
Archbishop Emilio Nappa, President of the Pontifical Mission Societies International, built on Pope Francis’ message during his keynote address at CAM6. He reflected on the three key words of this year’s theme—Go, Invite, Banquet—as pillars of the Church’s missionary vocation.
“First, Go! Mission is movement,” he declared. “The missionary does not remain fixed in their own comfort zone but takes the risk of stepping out, of engaging with the world, even when contrary winds blow.” Archbishop Nappa highlighted that mission is not confined to physical journeys but also involves breaking down barriers of indifference and building bridges of understanding.
The Archbishop also celebrated the role of missionary saints, particularly St. Thérèse of Lisieux, patroness of missions. He noted that even a cloistered life can be profoundly missionary when lived with openness to the needs of the world. “Our Church in the Americas is called to move, to not settle for repeating patterns or practices automatically, but to embrace the challenge of stepping out of the ‘already done,’” he said.
The second key word, Invite, speaks to the Church’s role as herald of the Gospel. “Being a missionary means being a bearer of an invitation on behalf of Another,” Archbishop Nappa explained. “This invitation is to dialogue, to an experience of sharing—not imposition or proselytism.” He called on catechists to be the first missionary animators in their parishes, embodying the Church’s invitation to all people to encounter the love of God.
Finally, the Banquet represents the Eucharist and the eschatological feast to which all are called. Archbishop Nappa noted how the banquet symbolizes inclusion, unity, and the breaking down of barriers. “The banquet is full of ‘unlikely’ guests by worldly standards,” he remarked. “It is a reminder that the proclamation of the Gospel must also lead to sharing—of resources, of wealth, of our very lives.”
The Mission of the Spirit: Pope Francis’ Message to CAM6
In his letter appointing Cardinal Baltazar Porras, emeritus of Caracas, Venezuela, as his envoy to the Congress, Pope Francis highlighted the centrality of the Holy Spirit in the Church’s missionary vocation. Drawing from Acts 1:8 and the story of Pentecost, the Pope emphasized that the Spirit equips the faithful to become “fearless witnesses” of the Gospel. “Today, we who have received the same Spirit are evangelizers in the Spirit,” wrote Pope Francis. “We open ourselves to His power, stepping out of ourselves to proclaim the novelty of the Gospel to our brothers and sisters.”
Pope Francis also entrusted the congress with a call to action: to carry the mission beyond geographical, social, and existential boundaries. Echoing themes from his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, he encouraged participants to embrace the challenges of the modern world with boldness and creativity. “May the fruits of these sacred celebrations inspire the faithful in the Americas to foster a truly Christian spirit and to dedicate all their strength to the work of evangelization,” he urged.
The Holy Father’s words serve as a rallying cry for the Church to embrace its missionary identity, drawing strength from the Spirit to confront contemporary challenges with renewed faith and unity.
The Central Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church’s Mission
Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFMConv, International Director of the Pontifical Missionary Union, emphasized the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in the Church’s mission. Picking up from Archbishop Nappa’s remarks and drawing on biblical themes and recent teachings from Pope Francis, Father Anh-Nhue called attendees to deepen their reliance on the Spirit as the driving force behind evangelization.
Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFMConv, International Director of the Pontifical Missionary Union, addressing CAM6.
“The mission of the Church can be defined by three key words: ‘go,’ ‘invite,’ and ‘banquet.’ But these dimensions are only possible through and in the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father through the Son as the first gift of the Risen Lord to the baptized,” he explained. Quoting Pope Francis, he added, “No Christian can bear full and authentic witness to Christ without the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit.”
Father Anh-Nhue pointed to Acts 16 to illustrate the Spirit’s direction, not only inspiring missionaries to act but also instructing them to refrain from certain actions. “When Paul and his companions sought to preach in Asia, the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. This underscores the supreme guidance of the Spirit, which extends beyond inspiration to the timing and place of every mission.”
In his remarks, Father Anh-Nhue also reflected on the historical role of the Holy Spirit in shaping missionary work, including the foundation of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. He noted, “The Congregation of Propaganda Fide, established in 1622, was a providential intuition, ensuring that the Church’s missionary work remained independent of worldly powers while fostering the growth of vibrant local churches.”
Father Anh-Nhue concluded with an inspiring vision for the Church’s missionary future, echoing the prophetic hope of Pope Francis. “I dream of a Church where all the baptized live as what they are called to be: prophets, witnesses, and missionaries of the Lord, guided by the Holy Spirit to the ends of the earth.”
The Legacy of CAM6
CAM6 is part of a continental tradition aimed at rekindling the missionary spirit in the Church of the Americas. The congress gathers participants from North, Central, and South America to reflect on their shared responsibility to evangelize and proclaim the Good News. Since the first congress in 1977, these gatherings have provided an opportunity to address pressing challenges faced by the Church in its mission territories, such as poverty, migration, social inequality, and the marginalization of indigenous and minority communities.
Missionary Renewal for the Americas
CAM6 serves as both a celebration and a challenge for the Church in the Americas. As Archbishop Nappa observed, the Church is increasingly interconnected, with “an osmosis between territories of ancient and recent evangelization.” Younger churches in Africa, Asia, and Latin America often inspire the global Church with their vibrancy, while older churches in the West still have much to offer, including lessons from their triumphs and failures.
The Pontifical Mission Societies play a vital role in this dynamic exchange, promoting missionary formation and ensuring the equitable distribution of resources to communities in need. Archbishop Nappa described this work as both spiritual and practical, calling it “a continuation of the mission of the early Church,” citing the Acts of the Apostles and St. Paul’s letters.
A Universal Call to Mission
As CAM6 unfolds, participants are invited to renew their commitment to the Church’s missionary vocation. Pope Francis and Archbishop Nappa remind us that the mission is not an optional activity but an essential part of the Church’s identity. It is a call to step out in faith, to invite others into communion with Christ, and to share the joy of the Gospel through concrete acts of solidarity.
The Church in the Americas has a unique role to play in this mission, serving as a bridge between tradition and innovation, and between communities of abundance and those in need. As Pope Francis concluded in his message, “May the fruits of this congress inspire a truly Christian spirit, filling all with the abundant consolation of the Spirit.”
