The Society for the Propagation of the Faith

All Catholics have the opportunity to fulfill their baptismal responsibility for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through their active participation in the efforts of the four Pontifical Mission Societies — The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), the Society of St. Peter Apostle and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious. - One Family In Mission

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is one of four Pontifical Mission Societies. The others are: The Society of St. Peter Apostle, The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious and the Holy Childhood Association.

The Pontifical Mission Societies have, as their primary purpose, the promotion of a universal missionary spirit – a spirit of prayer and sacrifice – among all baptized Catholics.

According to the teaching of Vatican Council II, the Pontifical Mission Societies are institutions of the Universal Church and of each local church. Therefore, unlike any other mission organization, the Pontifical Mission Societies are both Pontifical and Episcopal in nature. And, as such, the Pontifical Mission Societies are recognized as the principal instrument for educating the faithful to an awareness of the Church’s universal mission and for encouraging their support, in prayer and sacrifice, for the evangelizing mission of the Church among two-thirds of the human family.

All baptized Catholics have the opportunity to participate in the worldwide mission of the Church by offering their prayers, personal sacrifices or financial contributions to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Missionary Childhood Association or the Society for St. Peter Apostle. The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious is a spiritual apostolate for Priests, Religious men and women, catechists and lay people. Each year, the celebration of World Mission Sunday provides an opportunity, within the context of the Eucharist, for Catholics to express their prayerful and financial support of the Church’s worldwide missionary work and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in particular.

National offices for the Pontifical Mission Societies exist in more than 120 countries around the world including the United States. Central administrative offices are located in Rome, Italy, under the direction of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The national office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States is located in New York City. The national director is Rev. Andrew Small, OMI. In addition, every diocese in the United States has a diocesan director who is appointed by the local ordinary (bishop) of that diocese.