MARCH

22

1853. Claret writes to the Bishop of Havana to consult with him about a series of issues related to slavery.

1854. Claret publishes a Pastoral Letter denouncing the bad faith with which the biblical societies have introduced Protestant New Testaments on the Island, disguising it with the covers of the Catholic Bible from Scio.

1870. Claret sends Fr. Joseph Xifre the Holy See decree approving the Constitutions.

EXPANSION (1906-1922)

OTHER MISSIONS OFFERED TO THE CONGREGATION

During these years many expeditions were made to America and Africa. The Congregation was fully missionary. Another mission field was expanding, which we have called the missions ad gentes. Propaganda Fide assigned the Congregation the missionary task of Baja California (Mexico) and the territories of Rio de Oro, in Africa. Although there were many foundations, there were even more plentiful offers which were received but had to be refused: the Prefecture of Arauca, the Apostolic Vicariate of Para (Brazil), the Islands of Providencia and of San Andres, etc. All these expansions were due to the huge emphasis Fr. Xifre gave, especially to the foundation of Seminaries in Spain, which continued to function at full capacity. With the division of Provinces and the consequent distribution of the seminarians into smaller formation centers, numbers decreased, but this did not slow down the increasingly accelerated rhythm of the steady and vigorous expansion of the Institute through so many countries. The next two successors of Fr. Xifre maintained this emphasis.

Javier Ochoa, CMF

Missionary and Canon Lawyer (1923-1989)

Santo Domingo de la Calzada (La Rioja, Spain). He graduated in utroque jure from the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome in 1954, with the qualification of summa cum laude. In 1955 he obtained the title of Rotal Advocate. He taught at the Pontifical Lateran University and other Roman centers such as the Institute Regina Mundi and the Urbaniana University. His recognized competence made him worthy of the appointment to high curial positions in the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and in the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, as well as for the position of Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Lateran University, etc. He collaborated in multiple magazines such as Commentarium pro religiosis of which he was secretary, Apollinaris and Monitor Ecclesiasticus. Among his publications are his Leges Ecclesiae post Codicem Iuris Canonici and Index verborum cum documentis Conciliae Vaticani Secundi. The Lord called the illustrious canonist to his Kingdom in Santa Pola, Alicante, this day of 1989.

The Means of Catechizing Children

Second Means. Catechizing Children. The first thing I saw to was the instruction of children in Christian doctrine—not only because I have always felt a strong inclination toward this kind of education but also because I have come to realize its prime importance. Knowledge of the catechism is the foundation for the whole edifice of religious and moral instruction. Moreover, children learn readily and are deeply impressed. Catechism preserves them from error, vice, and ignorance… (Aut 275)

One of the things that has moved me most to teach children is the example of Jesus Christ and the saints. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them. It is to just such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14)… (Aut 276)

 

Because I love children and want them to be educated in Christian doctrine, I have written four catechisms: one for small children, from the time they begin talking until they reach seven; one for country folk; another, more extensive one; and one fully explained and illustrated. (Aut 285)

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

 

  • What is your apostolic relationship with children?
  • Are you aware of the importance of placing good Christian principles in the hearts of children?
  • What can be done to bring the Gospel closer to children?
  • Tell about your experience of evangelization in the context of children and families.

 

“Our consecration becomes for us
our first and primordial form of evangelizing.”

(MCT 149)

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