Missionaries in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City during the "sending out" Mass at the start of missions.

April 29, 2011. Each year, Holy Week is an opportunity to renew our faith. For thousands of youth and families, it is also an occasion to step out of the routines of daily life to share that faith, and by so doing, help it to grow.

This year, Holy Week missions were organized in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Italy, France, and the Philippines.

By far, the largest gathering of missionaries took place in Mexico, where close to 20,000 youth and families set out for remote towns and villages during Holy Week. The international Malinalco mission, in particular, got air time on Mexican television with the following spot. The missionaries also made their own video (view here) with scenes from the mission. After their week of service, the missionaries returned to Mexico City for the conclusive Mass

	ECYD boys in Colombia set out on horseback for the missions.

on Easter Sunday at the Anáhuac University. This video captures some of the energy and reverence at the Mass, for which Fr Alvaro Corcuera was the main celebrant.

In the United States, missions took place in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, New York City, Washington, DC, and Jacksonville, Florida with over 750 missionaries participating. Most missions combined a service element with door-to-door evangelization inviting people to participate in the Holy Week liturgies at the parishes, plus activities for the local children.

In Italy, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis presided over the commissioning Mass at the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the start of missions. During his homily, he invited to missionaries to proclaim Christ “particularly in today’s world, where there are so many ephemeral and fleeting events.” He said, “we are tired of so many meaningless and superficial advertisements lacking in hope, of advertisements that

	Missionaries in Atlanta do the Stations of the Cross through the woods.

are unable to go beyond the earthly level. We need to proclaim love, fidelity, to proclaim the Son who revealed himself in Christ Jesus.” The homily can be read at this link in its original Italian, and the audio version can be heard here.

A letter from Fr Alvaro Corcuera, published prior to the missions, set the tone for this year, marking the priority in terms of one of the spiritual acts of mercy: instructing the ignorant. Along these lines, the missionaries were invited to reflect on the importance of teaching the faith, not just with words but also with their living example.

To learn more about Holy Week missions and to view pictures and videos, visit the Mission Youth web site at www.demisiones.org/usa/.