Untitled Page

CHAPTER II, ARTICLE 3: FORMING THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (a)

Nos. 15-18 of Ad Gentes make up Article 3 of Chapter II. The whole article astounds

us with its vision of the neophytes, i.e. the new converts to the Faith. It sees them as capable

of forming full, adult, active, independent Catholic communities as soon as they are baptized.

No. 15 states that, from the beginning, the newly baptized are formed into one people of

God, and so should be able to carry out the priestly, prophetic and royal offices entrusted to

them by God (cf. 1 Pet.2: 9). The new communities “should be so organized that [they are] able

to provide for [their] own needs as far as possible.” Missionaries should be conscious of their

duty to form the new Christians into such independent communities.

The reason given by the Council Fathers for the necessity of this full Christianity among

the neophytes from the very beginning is also striking. It is not so that they will thus more

likely persevere in the Faith. No, the reason given is already missionary in nature: “In this way

the Christian community will become a sign of God’s presence in the world.” The new Christians

must shine as lights of Christ from the beginning.

Filled with missionary, apostolic spirit, they will root themselves as deeply as they can in

the cultural riches of their own nation. They will become as native to their own land as they can

without losing their identity and their unity in essentials with the Universal Church. “As good

citizens they should sincerely and actively foster love of country and, while utterly rejecting

racial hatred or exaggerated nationalism, work for universal love among men.”

They will nourish an ecumenical spirit toward separated Christians and cooperate with

them wherever and whenever they can for religious reasons: “Their brothers who believe in

Christ are disciples of Christ, and having been reborn in baptism, share in many of the blessings

of the people of God.” They can also cooperate with them in “a common profession before the

nations of faith in God and in Jesus Christ.” “Let them cooperate,” the document says

encouragingly, “especially, because of Christ their common Lord. May his name unite them!”

Not just individuals should be ecumenical, but also parishes and Catholic organizations, after

consultation with their local bishop. But even this is not enough. “[The Christian people is]

present so that it might by word and deed proclaim Christ to non-Christian fellow countrymen

and help them towards a full reception of Christ.”

Where is all this maturity in the Faith supposed to come from? From the Faith itself,

the Council Fathers say, especially from the very sacrament of Baptism and then from the Holy

Eucharist: “Through the eucharistic sacrifice [the community] goes continually to the Father

with Christ, carefully nourished with the word of God it bears witness to Christ, it walks in

charity and is enlivened by an apostolic spirit.” What power there is, then, in these sacraments

when we receive them worthily!