Magisterial Documents: Ecclesia in Asia

John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia In Asia on Jesus Christ, The Savior And His Mission Of Love And Service In Asia: "...That They May Have Life, And Have It Abundantly" (Jn 10:10)
November 6, 1999
The full document is available on the internet.

Brief Introduction

Ecclesia in Asia, summarizing the conclusions of the Special Asian Synod held in Rome from April 18 to May 14, 1998, is a blueprint for the expansion of the Roman Catholic faith in Asia. The document expresses hope that in the Third Christian Millennium a great harvest of faith will be reaped in this vast and vital continent of Asia."

The Exhortation is composed of seven parts dealing with the following themes: the Asian context, Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit as Lord and Giver of life, proclamation of Jesus in Asia (with a focus on inculturation), communion and dialogue for mission (with a focus on ecumenical and interreligious dialogue), the service of human promotion, and Christians as witnesses to the Gospel.

Core Marian Passages

51 Faced with such a challenging mission, we turn to Mary, for whom, as the Synod Fathers said, Asian Christians have a great love and affection, revering her as their own Mother and the Mother of Christ. Throughout Asia there are hundreds of Marian sanctuaries and shrines where not only the Catholic faithful gather, but also believers of other religions too.

To Mary, model of all disciples and bright Star of Evangelization, I entrust the Church in Asia at the threshold of the Third Millennium of the Christian era, trusting absolutely that hers is an ear that always listens, hers a heart that always welcomes, and hers a prayer that never fails:

O Holy Mary, Daughter of the Most-High God,
Virgin Mother of the Savior and Mother of us all,
look tenderly upon the Church of your Son
planted on Asian soil.
Be her guide and model
as she continues your Son's mission
of love and service in Asia.

You fully and freely accepted the Father's call
to be the Mother of God;
teach us to empty our hearts
of all that is not of God,
that we too may be filled
with the Holy Spirit from on high.
You pondered the mysteries of God's will
in the silence of your heart;
help us on our journey
to discern the signs of God's powerful hand.
You went quickly to visit Elizabeth
and help in her days of waiting;
obtain for us the same spirit of zeal and service
in our evangelizing task.
You sang the praises of the Lord;
lead us in joyful proclamation of faith
in Christ our Savior.
You had compassion on the needy
and spoke to your Son on their behalf;
teach us never to fear
to speak of the world to Jesus
and of Jesus to the world.
You stood at the foot of the Cross
as your Son breathed his last;
be with us as we seek to be one
in spirit and service with all who suffer.
You prayed with the disciples in the Upper Room;
help us to wait upon the Spirit
and to go wherever he leads us.

Protect the Church from all the powers
that threaten her.
Help her to be a true image
of the Most Holy Trinity.
Pray that through the Church's love and service
all the peoples of Asia may come
to know your Son
Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world,
and so taste the joy of life in all its fullness.
O Mary, Mother of the New Creation
and Mother of Asia,
pray for us, your children, now and always!

Outline

INTRODUCTION
THE MARVEL OF GOD'S PLAN IN ASIA (1-4)

CHAPTER I                          
THE ASIAN CONTEXT (5-9)

CHAPTER II                         
JESUS THE SAVIOR: A GIFT TO ASIA (10-14)

CHAPTER III                                   
THE HOLY SPIRIT: LORD AND GIVER OF LIFE (15-18)

CHAPTER IV                                   
JESUS THE SAVIOUR: PROCLAIMING THE GIFT (19-23)

CHAPTER V                         
COMMUNION AND DIALOGUE FOR MISSION (24-31)

CHAPTER VI                                   
THE SERVICE OF HUMAN PROMOTION (32-41)

CHAPTER VII                      
WITNESSES TO THE GOSPEL (42-49)

CONCLUSION                                 
GRATITUDE AND ENCOURAGEMENT (50)
PRAYER TO THE MOTHER OF CHRIST (51)

© This material has been compiled by Danielle M. Peters, S.T.D.
Copyright is reserved for The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute.
Most recently updated in 2019.