"Activities aimed at promoting interest in the missions must always be geared to these specific goals; namely, informing and forming the People of God to share in the Church's universal mission, promoting vocations ad gentes and encouraging cooperation in the work of evangelization. It is not right to give an incomplete picture of missionary activity, as if it consisted principally in helping the poor, contributing to the liberation of the oppressed, promoting development or defending human rights. The missionary Church is certainly involved on these fronts but her primary task lies elsewhere: the poor are hungry for God, not just for bread and freedom. Missionary activity must first of all bear witness to and proclaim salvation in Christ, and establish local churches which then become means of liberation in every sense."
Pope St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, 83
Below are various resources to help foster this missionary spirit in all the faithful.
Quarterly Newsletter
View our most recent quarterly newsletters:
June 2023
March 2023
December 2022
September 2022
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email and/or mail, sign up here.
Events
Throughout out the year, we gather for times of intentional prayer, animation and formation. Check them out here.
World Mission Rosary
The World Mission Rosary was developed by Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1950 to 1966) in 1951. Each of the five decades is a different color to represent areas of the world where the Church continues her evangelizing mission. Free pamphlets and world mission rosaries can be obtained through contacting our office. This pamphlet is also available in Spanish.
- Green represents the forests and grasslands of Africa.
- Blue is for the oceans surrounding the Islands of the Pacific, Oceania.
- White symbolizes Europe, home of the Holy Father, shepherd of the world.
- Red represents the fire of faith that brought the first missionaries to the Americas.
- Yellow is for the morning sun of the East, representing Asia.
Volunteer Project
Thanks to our many volunteers throughout the archdiocese who make these world mission rosaries, we are able to offer them for free! If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact our office. We provide all supplies and instruction guides.
Mission News
Magisterium Documents on Mission
Additional documents can be found here.
International Office
- Website of the Pontifical Mission Societies
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Mission
National Office
- Website of the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States
Extraordinary Missionary Month October 2019
"The Extraordinary Missionary Month has ended, but what cannot end is the impetus that the Holy Spirit has placed in the hearts of Christians. Mission has ceased to be something which belongs to a few. Now it belongs to all Christians".
Fr. José María Calderón, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Spain
Even though the EMMOCT2019 has concluded, these resources can continue to be used for missionary animation and formation.
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWSLETTER
POPE FRANCIS MESSAGE FOR WMS
VATICAN WEBSITE
VATICAN GUIDE
Additional Resources
- Official Prayer
- Small group study - study that explores the guide that was prepared by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and Pontifical Mission Societies at the Vatican
- Youth group study - study to be used for high school youth groups
Scripture Reflections
This is part one of the Vatican's guide, but we have broken them out by day for your convenience.
October 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th,
19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
All Reflections
Mission Testimonies
This is part two of the Vatican's guide, but we have broken them out by each witness for your convenience.
All Mission Testimonies