The biennial Meeting of the International Societies of Apostolic Life (MISAL) 2024, held from December 2 to 6 at the Pilar Pilgrim Center in Goa, India, brought together representatives from 29 Societies of Apostolic Life. The event, hosted by the Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier (Society of Pilar), centered on the theme Journeying Together: Encountering New Frontiers, reflecting the mission of the Church in a rapidly changing world. Various major superiors were in attendance, alongside Sr. Elsa Muttathu PBVM, National Secretary of the Conference of Religious India (CRI). Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for the meeting by emphasizing the boundless nature of Christian love. The meeting coincided with the ongoing decennial exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, the Patron of Missions. Delegates described the veneration of the sacred relics as a profound spiritual experience.
Love Beyond Boundaries
Cardinal Tagle began his address by stressing that Christian love transcends all frontiers. “A frontier,” he explained, “is not just a border between territories; it encompasses civil, cultural, and even historical dimensions.” He called on the delegates to challenge their understanding of borders and to consider how these divisions often impede the universal Mission of the Church. Drawing from Jesus’ example of breaking cultural barriers, he encouraged the assembly to go beyond territorial borders and engage in mission with a heart open to all cultures, peoples, and experiences. “While we respect borders, we must embrace the universal frontier of Christian love,” said Cardinal Tagle.
Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD
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