The
Apostolate of the New Evangelization
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he Apostolate of the New Evangelization (ANE)
was born as a fruit from the Sixth Eucharistic Marian Conference of the
Boliviarian Countries that took place in Cochabamba, Bolivia on October
7-12, 1997. On May 1, 1999, the
Archbishop of Cochabamba, approved the ANE constitution as a Catholic
Association of the Faithful.
The
Apostolate of the New Evangelization, as part of the Catholic Church, gathers
the faithful Catholics who, moved by the Holy Spirit, follow Christ, animated
by the zeal of His Word and by the exhortations of Pope John Paul II. They
discover in their daily lives the two supremely important virtues of Love and
Mercy and translate them into a new way of thinking and acting as called for by
Pope John Paul II in his many calls for a New Evangelization. They offer
themselves with their sufferings to God the Father through Jesus in His cross
each day and work to communicate to others the message of the Gospel through
their apostolic actions. In this way
they give glory to God the Father, comfort the Heart of Jesus and extend the
Reign of the Holy Spirit.
The goal of the Apostolate is to give today's
society, affected by individualism, the diminishing of the person's dignity,
the disintegration of the family, and the loss of a national identity, a modern
and updated proposal. One that will
lead to a profound change and transformation in man's way of thinking and his
actions that will restore his human and spiritual dignity and permit him to
rediscover his forgotten spiritual dimension and to return to the way that
leads to the Father's House, following the way that Christ has made known to
all men in the Gospel.
In response to the continuous invitation by Pope
John Paul II for the laity to participate more actively in the evangelizing
task in support of their pastors, we want to carry a message of Love and Mercy
to all corners of our dioceses, in communion with the Bishops, at the service
and support of the pastors, promoting the finding of the living Jesus Christ,
the way of conversion, communion, and solidarity. All this with special emphasis to all those Catholics who, for
different circumstances, have distanced themselves from our Church or have
lost the meaning of a true Christian life, and are yearning to return to the
House of the Father.
This
Apostolate, faithful to and in tune with the teachings and doctrine of the
Church, fulfills and makes its own the many exhortations of Pope John Paul II
in reference to the New Evangelization.
u To form Communities of Evangelization, small groups of 10 to 20
persons, or cenacles of prayer and study, that will meet periodically in order
to put into practice the spirituality of the ANE.
u To create Centers of Human and Spiritual Formation supported by
the Communities of Evangelization for the human and spiritual growth of its
members and supporters.
u To organize national and international conferences, seminars,
etc. that will enable the Word of God to be communicated in a secular context,
joined to science, culture, and social events.
u To evangelize by taking advantage of all means of social
communication.
u To practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, in a
special way assist the sick and needy in hospitals and jails.
u To join efforts in creating a more worthy and just society in
accordance with the pastoral exigencies of the Holy Father and the Bishops.
u To offer in a special way our apostolic action to the service of
the Church in our own parish.
u To strengthen the bonds of charity with the ecclesiastical
community.
u Adoration of the Holy Eucharist, real and live presence of Jesus
amongst us.
u Regular reception of the Sacraments of Confession and the
Eucharist.
u Reading and study of the Word of God and the documents of the
Church's Teachings.
u Consecration to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, refuge of
Catholic people, and guiding all humanity to the Consecration to God the
Father.
u Devotion to the Holy Cross and wounds of Christ.
u Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom we want to imitate by
our submission to the Father's will.
u To widely spread the praying of the Holy Rosary, prayer that
characterizes Mary's devotees.
u An active Christian commitment of sharing and testimony.
u Evangelization everywhere by our actions and committed Christian
life.