Editing Pope Benedict XV (section)

=== ''Maximum illud'' ===
''[[Maximum illud]]'' is an [[Ecclesiastical letter#Letters of the popes in modern times|apostolic letter]] of Benedict XV issued on 30 November 1919, dealing with the Catholic missions. After reminding bishops of their responsibility to support the missions, he advised missionaries not to regard the mission as their own but to welcome others to the task and to collaborate with those around them. He underlined the necessity of proper preparation for the work in foreign cultures and the need to acquire language skills before doing such work, especially in the Orient. He tells missionaries that: "Especially among the infidels, who are guided more by instinct than by reason, preaching by example is much more profitable than that of words". He requested a continued striving for personal sanctity and praised the selfless work of women religious in the missions.<ref>''Maximum illud'', 30</ref> "Mission", however, "is not only for missionaries, but all Catholics must participate through their apostolate of prayer, by supporting vocations, and by helping financially."<ref>Maximum Illud 30–36</ref> The letter concludes with the naming of several organizations which organize and supervise mission activities within the Catholic Church.<ref>''Maximum illud'', 37–40</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xv/it/apost_letters/documents/hf_ben-xv_apl_19191130_maximum-illud.html|title=Maximum illud (30 novembre 1919) {{!}} BENEDETTO XV|website=w2.vatican.va|access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref>