The Feast of the Chair of St Peter: celebrating nine years of proclaiming the Gospel!

Nine years ago this week, the Heralds of the Gospel were raised to the category of an International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right. The Holy Mass has been celebrated in profound thanksgiving for our vocation, by our communities and our Companions throughout the world

In Rome on the morning of February 28, 2001, Pope John Paul II welcomed a thousand jubilant members of the Heralds of the Gospel who had gathered for a landmark celebration. With unusual swiftness, the Vatican had approved the association's request to be raised to the status of an "Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right”

With what joy the Heralds and their lay Companions, celebrate this week the memory of our Pontifical establishment and recommit themselves to the mandate given to us by the Holy Father. Let us remind ourselves of his words:

“ I greet in a special way the Heralds of the Gospel.
By being faithful to the Church and to its Magisterium,
may you remain united to your pastors
and courageously proclaim Our Lord Jesus Christ
throughout the world.
Be messengers of the Gospel
through the intercession of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” Pope John Paul II

“…Now from this moment, ..you have … been given a special mandate. This implies that your community throughout the world acquires a unique relationship with the Chair of Peter"

The Charism of the Heralds of the Gospel

The Heralds of the Gospel are an International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right, the first to be established by the Holy See in the third millennium, during a ceremony which occurred during the feast of the Chair of St. Peter (February 22) in 2001.
The Heralds of the Gospel strive to be instruments of holiness in the Church by encouraging close unity between faith and life, and working to evangelize particularly through art and culture. Their apostolate, which differs depending upon the environments in which they work, gives pride of place to parish animation, evangelizing families, providing catechetical and cultural formation to young people, and disseminating religious Iiterature.

There is a particular focus on music, drama and they organise many events in churches, schools, hospitals, factories, offices and prisons. The educational efforts of the association focus on developing an interior life firmly rooted in the Eucharist, devotion to our Lady and fidelity to the Successor of Peter. The formation route taken by the members comprises the study of moral theology, exegesis, history, and a thorough training in the arts and modern languages.

For more information about the work of the Heralds of the Gospel worldwide see:
http://www.arautos.org.br/