The recent election of Pope Leo XVI has certainly caused a stir within the Church and throughout the world.
Elected to the papacy as the 267th successor of St. Peter on May 8, this Augustinian Friar originally from Chicago, became the first pope from the United States in history.
Relatively unknown to most until he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, the then-Fr. Robert Prevost worked as a missionary in Peru for several decades and served as head of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013.
With the extensive news coverage fueled by social media, there seems to be a renewed interest in Catholicism, especially from those who may no longer be practicing their faith.
Church leaders have noted a resurgence of interest and Mass attendance immediately following Pope Leo’s election.
Whether or not this trend continues or is short-lived, each of us can certainly seize the opportunity be exercise our missionary discipleship among family and friends.
A call to be a ‘missionary’
Shortly after his election, Pope Leo spoke to the large crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square and mentioned forms of the word “missionary” twice, challenging Catholics “to proclaim the Gospel without fear, to be missionaries” and later “Together, we must look for ways to be a missionary Church.”
Such sentiments were reinforced in the homily delivered during his Inauguration Mass where he called for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics to embrace a “missionary spirit,” rather than closing themselves off “in our small groups”.
Rather than seeing ourselves as being “superior to the world,” the Pope challenged us “to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people.”
Where to begin
The best place to begin our evangelical efforts is among our family and friends who are no longer attending weekly Mass or receiving the sacraments.
St. Ambrose, the brilliant Bishop of Milan who influenced St. Augustine’s conversion, suggests that gentleness and mercy are required to welcome stray sheep back into the fold.
In a letter concerning repentance, this saintly Doctor of the Church explains:
“If the highest end of virtue is that which aims at the advancement of most, gentleness is the most lovely of all, which does not hurt even those whom it condemns, and usually renders those whom it condemns worthy of absolution. Moreover, it is the only virtue which has led to the increase of the Church which the Lord sought at the price of His own Blood, imitating the loving-kindness of Heaven, and aiming at the redemption of all, seeks this end with a gentleness which the ears of men can endure, in presence of which their hearts do not sink, nor their spirits quail.”
In our conversations with others who express a renewed interest in Catholicism in light of Pope Leo XIV’s election, we should encourage them to “take another look” and see what they are missing.
Personal invitation is the simplest and most effective way to lead others back to Christ and His Church.
Whether it’s asking them to join you for Mass, a small group, or some sort of service opportunity, the Holy Spirit will lead you in guiding that person He wants you to lead back into the fold.
As we are called to be missionary disciples who invite others to Jesus, let us seek the courage needed to be intentional in our Walk With One efforts.
Let us embrace the countless graces available during this historic time in the Church’s history and “proclaim the Gospel without fear,” as Pope Leo has encouraged us!
Michael Wick is the director of mission for the Diocese of Madison.