James H. Kroeger, M.M. (“The Dynamic Spiral of Mission Spirituality: Exploring Insights of Recent Popes”) discusses the important elements of a dynamic spirituality for ministry and mission based on theological-pastoral themes found in Evangelii Nuntiandi, Redemptoris Missio, Ecclesia in Asia, and Evangelii Gaudium. He systematizes them under four headings: 1) mystery—the aim of mission is to serve in the unfolding, the epiphany, of God’s saving plan for the world (Paul’s mysterion); 2) meditation—through prayer and contemplation, the evangelizer becomes deeply rooted in the mysterion so as to be filled with the Holy Spirit, “the principal agent of mission”; 3) ministry—the call to be an evangelizer emerges from a life of faith and takes the form of a personal commitment within the loving plan of God; “faith-service” can be rendered in a variety of ways, all of which work toward bringing the Good News to people and transforming their lives from within through it; and 4) mission—any form of ministry or apostolate in the Church involves a vibrant sense of mission; an evangelizer must realize that his particular ministry, no matter how localized and limited, is a participation in the missionary activity of the universal Church. According to Kroeger, it “remains a paradoxical truth that the home parish or diocese is strengthened when it sends forth missioners—even out of an insufficient supply of personnel” (p. 115). – from the Editor’s Preface