MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Hundreds of children and youth celebratd the World Day of the Holy Childhood Association and Missionary Youth (DOMINF), which in Mexico was on 15 February, reflecting on the missionary commitment of the entire people of God, beginning with the children and adolescents of the parish communities.

The Holy Childhood Association and the Missionary Youth groups are initiatives of the Pontifical Mission Societies, and work to help children carry out their local and universal missions, not only being missionaries themselves, but also helping others to become missionaries – including their own parents. Fr Arturo Barranco, Director of the Missionary Commission of the Archdiocese of Mexico comments: 'This is why our ministry should be a priority in the diocese and in the parishes.' Fr Barranco mentioned that DOMINF should be seen as a great opportunity to renew this missionary commitment with young people and place the resolutions of Aparecida in practice, as they call for a greater appreciation of the missionary capacity that children possess, not only in evangelizing their peers, but also their parents. Fr Barranco explained that the goal of this pastoral work should be to teach children to be receptive to their surroundings and from there, learn the fundamentals of the faith with a missionary spirit.