Office of Missions / CRS

Welcome to the Office of Missions / CRS, supporting the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies and Catholic Relief Services as they seek to serve our brothers and sisters in the global community.

Celebrating 200 Years of Giving Hope

The life-changing work of the Pontifical Mission Societies began with a simple invitation between neighbors 200 years ago. Pauline Marie Jaricot, who was beatified in May 2022, asked those in her community to offer prayers and small donations in support of the universal missions of the Catholic Church. The network slowly expanded across continents. Today, some 1,100 dioceses in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific Islands benefit from what Pauline began and countless other generous people continued.

Throughout the year, the Pontifical Mission Societies support the proclamation of the Gospel, the building of the Church and the work and witness of mission priests, religious and lay pastoral leaders. These missionaries provide food, education, and medical care to the most vulnerable communities in the Pope’s missions. Through their work, they reveal the compassionate heart of Jesus. Support their efforts, and you can be right there with them — offering hope.

Heart of a Missionary: The Story of Pauline Jaricot

Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot's simple but passionate acts of charity in a small town in France blossomed into one of the most impactful missionary organizations in our world today: the Propagation of the Faith, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. A documentary film shares Pauline's story through interviews, dramatizations, and travels to various mission sites around the world. A trailer of the film is available below. It can be streamed in English or Spanish by visiting https://blessedpauline.org/, A trailer of the movie may be viewed below.  

Prayer

Lord, make us bearers of hope,
so that where there is darkness,
your light may shine,
and where there is discouragement,
confidence in the future may be reborn.

Lord, make us instruments of your justice,
so that where there is exclusion, fraternity may flourish,
and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.

Lord, make us builders of your Kingdom,
together with migrants and refugees
and with all who dwell on the peripheries.

Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is
to live together as brothers and sisters. Amen.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 9 May 2022

Support the people of Ukraine

Your help is needed in Ukraine where there is great risk of suffering for those remaining within the country and for those fleeing to neighboring countries for safety.  CRS and its Caritas partners are ready to provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, fuel to keep warm, transport to safe areas, counseling support, and more. Read about the work being done and how you can help. 

Countless priests, religious sisters and brothers, and lay pastoral leaders are also working hard to care for children and families caught in the turmoil in Ukraine. They are in urgent need of food, water, and basic aid. Through the Pontifical Mission Societies, you can help them and answer Pope Francis' call to support the people of Ukraine. The pope tells us, “In God, no act of love, no matter how small, and no ‘generous effort’ will ever be lost.”

Mass Cards and Enrollment

We offer many ways to honor your loved ones.  They include enrollment in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for individuals and families, as well as Masses of remembrance.   Masses will be said for your loved ones by missionaries around the world.

For more information, contact the Office of Missions.

Learn more or Enroll

Missio - Support the Pope's Charities

"It's not just charity. It's change."

A direct way to help missions around the world is through Missio, a connection with Pope Francis' missions around the world.

You can choose the project to which you would like to contribute, whether it's assisting religious sisters as they combat COVID-19 in Kenya, supporting a children's village in El Salvador, or growing a parish farm in the Philippines. Learn more and Donate today.

Children in Faith: Learning to Pray and Color with José

Teach your children or grandchildren to pray beautiful Catholic prayers while coloring and connecting with our Catholic faith. Download the free Catholic prayer book "Children in Faith: Learning to Pray and Color with José."