The liturgical season of Lent serves as a period of profound interior renewal, inviting the faithful to align their personal spiritual journeys with the universal mission of the Church. As we navigate the Thursday of the First Week of Lent, the daily scriptures provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offer a distinctive lens through which to view our missionary calling. For the Pontifical Mission Societies, and specifically the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, these readings are not merely historical accounts or moral instructions; they are a roadmap for sustaining the growth of the Church in mission territories through the formation of local clergy.

The Prayer of the Isolated: Finding Strength in Queen Esther

The first reading for this day, drawn from the Book of Esther, presents the harrowing yet hopeful prayer of Queen Esther. In a moment of mortal peril for her people, Esther finds herself "seized with deathly anxiety" and turns to the Lord. Her prayer is a testament to the power of total reliance on Divine Providence when human resources are exhausted.

This scriptural moment mirrors the contemporary reality faced by many missionaries and local priests in mission territories. Often serving in remote geographical locations or amidst social and political instability, these individuals experience a profound sense of isolation. Like Esther, who acknowledges she has "no helper but you, Lord," the young men studying for the priesthood in mission lands often lack the material resources and institutional support systems common in the Western world.

The Society of St. Peter the Apostle recognizes that the spiritual fortitude displayed by Esther is the same grace required by seminarians in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. When we read Esther’s plea for God to "come to my help, for I am alone," we are reminded of our institutional duty to ensure that no candidate for the priesthood is forced to abandon his vocation due to a lack of financial or communal support. The missionary spirit is rooted in this understanding: that while a priest may be physically alone in a remote outpost, he is spiritually and materially sustained by the universal Church.

The Theology of Persistence: Ask, Seek, Knock

The Gospel of Matthew provides the central pedagogical framework for missionary hope: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." To the casual observer, these verses might seem to suggest an effortless acquisition of needs. However, in the context of the Church’s missionary work, these are commands to persistent, active engagement.

In the mission territories supported by The Pontifical Mission Societies, "asking" is a communal act. Communities ask for pastors to celebrate the Sacraments; young men ask for the opportunity to study and serve; and the Church asks the faithful to recognize their baptismal responsibility to support these vocations. The "seeking" described by Christ is visible in the efforts of bishops in mission lands who traverse difficult terrains to identify and nurture local vocations. The "knocking" is the persistent effort of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle to open the doors of seminaries to those who have the calling but not the means.

This Gospel passage emphasizes that God, as a benevolent Father, gives "good things to those who ask him." For a developing diocese, there is no "good thing" more essential than the gift of a local priest. A priest who shares the language, culture, and history of his people is uniquely positioned to inculturate the Gospel effectively. By supporting the formation of these men, the faithful participate in the fulfillment of Christ’s promise that the Father will provide for the needs of His children.

The Historical Mandate: The Society of St. Peter the Apostle

The connection between daily scripture and missionary action is best exemplified by the history of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. Founded in 1889 in Caen, France, by Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, the society began as a response to a specific request from a missionary bishop in Japan. Bishop Cousin expressed a dire need for local clergy, noting that the growth of the Church was dependent on indigenous leadership rather than total reliance on foreign missionaries.

The Bigard sisters did not simply offer a passing prayer; they engaged in the "asking, seeking, and knocking" that the Gospel demands. They recognized that the most sustainable way to establish the Church in any land is to support the "local seed." This philosophy remains the cornerstone of the society today. By focusing on the support of seminarians and religious novices in mission territories, the society ensures that the Church becomes truly indigenous to every culture it touches.

For more information on the history and current initiatives of this organization, readers may visit the official resource page: https://pontificalmissions.org/who-we-are/the-society-of-st.-peter-the-apostle.

The Golden Rule as a Missionary Standard

The Gospel concludes with the "Golden Rule": "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you." In a missionary context, this transcends simple interpersonal kindness. It serves as an institutional standard for global solidarity.

If we, in established dioceses, value the presence of a priest at the bedside of the sick, the availability of the Eucharist, and the guidance of the Word, then the Golden Rule dictates that we must desire and facilitate these same spiritual "goods" for our brothers and sisters in mission territories. Missionary hope is the belief that the spiritual riches we enjoy are intended for the entire human family.

The work of clergy in these regions is often arduous. A single priest may be responsible for dozens of outstations, traveling by motorcycle, boat, or on foot to reach his flock. Supporting the Society of St. Peter the Apostle is a concrete application of the Golden Rule. It is an acknowledgment that the dignity of the faithful in a mission territory is equal to our own, and they deserve the same sacramental care that we often take for granted.

Practical Steps for Finding Missionary Hope

To integrate these scriptural reflections into a daily habit of missionary hope, the following steps are recommended for the faithful:

• Scriptural Immersion: Utilize the USCCB daily readings as a starting point for prayer, specifically asking God to reveal the "missionary heart" within the text.
• Intercessory Prayer for Seminarians: Adopt the prayer of Queen Esther on behalf of those in formation. Pray for their perseverance against loneliness and the challenges of their studies.
• Education on Global Needs: Stay informed about the growth of the Church in the Global South and the specific needs of seminaries in those regions.
• Sacrificial Giving: In the spirit of Lenten almsgiving, consider a contribution to the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. These funds directly support the building of seminaries, the provision of textbooks, and the daily sustenance of those preparing for the priesthood.

Conclusion

The daily scriptures are not a static text but a living dialogue between God and His Church. When we read the prayers of Esther or the promises of the Gospel, we are invited to see beyond our local parish boundaries. We are called to recognize that the "good things" God provides are often channeled through our own hands and hearts.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us find hope in the fact that the Church is growing. In every corner of the world, young men are responding to the call to serve, echoing the persistence encouraged by Christ. By supporting the formation of local clergy through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, we ensure that the missionary spirit of the daily scripture is translated into a living reality for generations to come.

– Fr. Deji