Italy
From Riga, the account of the Apostolic Oblate Pro Sanctitate Rita Refalo, a missionary from Malta for 25 years in Latvia.
Mission is a living fire that crosses every geographical and linguistic boundary to ignite communities capable of giving themselves. The testimony coming from Rita Refalo, Apostolic Oblate Pro Sanctitate in Latvia, preserves the beauty of a secular centenary and a historic milestone for the local Church. As Rita recounts:
«Celebrating this day – and this year in a special way because it has been 100 years since Pope Pius XI established this day – is a great joy for us!».
A historic event: the first time of a national communion
The beating heart of this centenary found an unprecedented moment of grace in Riga. For the first time in the country’s history, the event was not confined to individual parish realities, but embraced the entire nation in a single spiritual embrace. Rita emphasizes this step with strength: «Then for us in Latvia it was the first time that we celebrated it at the level of all Latvia and not just in some parishes».
On the evening of October 17, the vigil of the solemnity, Riga cathedral opened its doors to an intense vigil, presided over together with the director of Missio in Latvia, Father Jēkabs Rodions Doļa.
Missionaries, young people, and families shared Holy Mass and Eucharistic adoration.
The culminating moment was the recitation of the missionary Rosary: prayers chanted in different languages: Vietnamese, Malawian, English, Italian, and Latvian.
Rita highlights the impact of this symphony: «This made us experience the universality of the Church».
Closeness, families, and care for the most vulnerable
Missionary communion touched the concreteness of human relationships. Also on October 17, the celebration gathered Vietnamese children and families living in Riga in an atmosphere of contagious enthusiasm.
The celebration continued on October 18 in the parish of Christ the King, renewing the commitment to the most vulnerable: «There is so much enthusiasm and joy in becoming little missionaries to help so many needy children!».
Rita’s concluding words resonate, finally, as a commission: «It is beautiful to be united in Jesus, to be united in mission, as our Pope Leo told us».
A Latvia gathered for the first time at the national level testifies that an authentic encounter generates concrete hope for the whole world.
Photo by Rita Refalo
