SW News: Pope Francis exhorted the clergy, religious and the laity in Mongolia to be aware that they are called to bear witness to Christ by cultivating communion and simplicity of life by being close to the people and caring for them. He was addressing bishops, clergy, religious, missionaries and lay workers in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ulaanbaatar on September 2.

He encouraged everyone to “taste and see that the Lord is good” citing Psalm 34. The pope reminded them the goodness of the Lord remains with them and enables them to view everything differently. The Supreme Pontiff also invited the bishops, priests, nuns and pastoral workers to spend their lives for the Gospel because it is a “beautiful way to define the missionary vocation of Christians in Mongolia”.

The Holy Father made a mention of the apostolic endeavors of  Bishop Wenceslao Padilla of happy memory who was instrumental in replanting the Church in Mongolia after the fall of communism. He also mentioned Friar John of Monte Corvino and other missionaries who brought the Gospel to this land in the 13th century. The pope then asked them why should anyone spend his or her life for the Gospel.

He said the answer is because the Almighty made Himself visible to be touched and encountered in Jesus. Pope Francis said Christ is the “Good News meant for all people, the message that the Church must constantly proclaim, embody in her life and whisper to the heart of every individual and all cultures”.

The pope also paid tribute to the charitable initiatives undertaken by the Church terming them as a calling card for Christians. He urged believers to continue in this path of service which has proved to be fruitful and beneficial to Mongolians. Finally, the pontiff asked the Catholics to entrust themselves to the intercession of the Blessed Mother to receive a “renewed zeal and an ardent love that tirelessly and joyfully bears witness to the Gospel”.

Pope Francis also encouraged all believers, including the bishops and clergy, to persevere, “be constant in prayer and creative in charity, steadfast in communion and meek in everything and with everyone”.

The ceremony was attended by bishops from Central Asia led by the head of the episcopal body Bishop José Luis Mumbiela Sierra of Almaty in Kazakhstan. Also present with the pope in the sanctuary of the cathedral was Apostolic Prefect Cardinal Giorgio Marengo.

The pews were packed with priests, missionary nuns and pastoral workers. During the event, the pope listened to three testimonies. In the first one by a Missionaries of Charity nun from India, the Holy Father was told about the initial challenges faced by the missionaries and how they overcame everything to care for the abandoned children who are physically challenged. The second testimony was from Fr Peter Sanjaajav, the first Mongolian to become a priest. He narrated how he views the gift of the priesthood to bring salvation to his countrymen. The final testimony was from a laywoman and pastoral worker. She explained her conversion to Catholicism and how she is striving to serve the Church and assist in evangelization.

The ceremony came to an end with the recitation of the Hail Mary in Mongolian by the pope followed by the Apostolic Blessing and the singing of the Salve Regina.