MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS
(An African Perspective on the Universality of Mission)
Seminarian Victor Byabazaire Kugonza “BK Vicky”
Greetings to you, dear reader of Apostles.
Today I reflect on the Christian mission from an African perspective, in gratitude to God for the gift of His word in the United States of America over the past 25 years through the missionary activities of the Apostles of Jesus Missionaries. By its very nature, the Christian mission transcends geographical, cultural, and national boundaries. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus Christ entrusted His disciples with a universal mandate: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This command reveals that the Church’s mission is not confined to one people or region; it is a mission without borders, rooted in the universality of the Gospel.
From an African viewpoint, this universality carries profound meaning. For many years, Africa was regarded primarily as a “receiver” of missionaries—men and women who crossed continents to proclaim Christ. Yet the dynamic power of the Gospel gradually transformed African communities into vibrant centers of faith, capable of sending missionaries to other parts of the world, including the United States. Africa is no longer only a mission territory; it has become a missionary‑sending Church.
It is within this context that the missionary charism of the Apostles of Jesus finds its significance. Co‑founded on August 22, 1968, by Most Reverend Bishop Sixtus Mazzoldi, MCCJ, and Very Reverend Fr. John Marengoni, MCCJ, in Moroto, Uganda, the religious missionary institute of the Apostles of Jesus embodies the conviction that the Gospel of the Kingdom must reach every culture and every people. Their presence in Africa nurtured vocations, formed local clergy, and cultivated a deep missionary consciousness among African Christians.
The celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the fully sanctioned Church ministry and missionary presence of the Apostles of Jesus in the United States is therefore more than an institutional milestone. It is a visible sign of the universality of the Catholic Church’s mission. African missionaries serving in America represent a remarkable reversal of the earlier missionary flow: those who once received the Gospel now carry it across oceans, witnessing that faith knows no boundaries.
In the African worldview, community is central. The philosophy expressed through the concept of Ubuntu— “I am because we are”—resonates deeply with the missionary spirit. Mission, from this perspective, is not merely the preaching of doctrines but the building of relationships, the sharing of life, and the fostering of communion among people. When African missionaries serve in multicultural societies such as the United States, they bring with them this rich sense of communal faith and hospitality.
Among the key concerns in the 2026 prayer intentions of Pope Leo XIV is the urgent need for peace in a world marked by conflict, migration crises, and social division. The Apostles of Jesus contribute to this mission through their pastoral presence among diverse communities. By accompanying immigrants, ministering in multicultural parishes, and promoting reconciliation among people of diverse backgrounds, they become agents of peace and bridges between cultures.
In the United States, the Apostles of Jesus have served in schools, hospitals, parishes, and ecclesiastical offices that reach out to many peoples, including marginalized communities. Through pastoral counseling, community outreach, and youth ministry, they defend the dignity of the poor, the migrant, and the forgotten—thus advancing social justice, another important dimension of Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intentions for 2026. Their 25‑year presence in America stands as a powerful sign of the Church’s universal mission. Rooted in Africa yet serving across continents, the religious institute of the Apostles of Jesus embodies a missionary spirit that seeks peace, promotes human dignity, works for justice, and nurtures spiritual renewal. Inspired by their charism and aligned with the pastoral vision of the Holy Father, the Apostles of Jesus remain a living witness that the Gospel of the Kingdom truly has no borders.
The Silver Jubilee celebration of the Apostles of Jesus’s Church ministry and missionary presence in the United States reminds us that the Church is truly Catholic—that is, universal. Mission does not belong to one continent or culture; it belongs to the entire People of God. Whether in Africa, America, Asia, Australia, or Europe, the same Gospel of the Kingdom continues to unite diverse peoples into one family in Jesus Christ.
As we commemorate 25 years of fully sanctioned Church ministry and missionary presence in the United States, we are invited to renew our commitment to a mission without borders—a mission that transcends differences, embraces diversity, and proclaims hope abundantly to all humanity.
Shukrani nyingi, na Mungu awabariki.
Graduation of the Apostles of Jesus students of Philosophy in May 2026 at the Apostles of Jesus Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Langata, Nairobi, Kenya.
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