The Pontifical Mission Societies

The Pontifical Mission Societies are the Holy Father's official mission societies supporting the Church's evangelizing mission throughout the world.
 
Together they foster prayer, missionary formation, and financial assistance for dioceses, seminaries, schools, hospitals, and pastoral outreach in mission territories.
 
Society for the Propagation of the Faith 
 
Founded by Saint Pauline Jaricot in 1822, this Society inspires Catholics to support the missions through prayer and sacrificial giving.
 
Its simple beginning—ten friends inviting ten more to pray and contribute a penny each week—has grown into the Church's largest worldwide missionary network.
 
Its mission is to awaken missionary zeal in every Catholic while providing essential support to mission dioceses throughout the world.
 


Society of St. Peter Apostle

 
Founded through the generosity of Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, this Society supports:
 

• Seminaries
• Seminarians
• Religious formation
• Indigenous clergy

 
By helping form local priests and religious sisters, the Society strengthens the future of the Church in young mission territories.
 

 
Missionary Union

 Founded by Blessed Paolo Manna in 1916, the Missionary Union promotes missionary formation among
 

• Bishops
• Priests
• Deacons
• Religious
• Lay faithful

 
Its vision remains: "The whole Church for the whole world."
 
Missionary Childhood Association (MCA)
 
Founded in 1843 by Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson, the Missionary Childhood Association teaches children to become missionaries through prayer, sacrifice, and generosity.
 
Its beautiful motto remains: Children Helping Children
 
The Diocese of Trenton actively promotes MCA programs in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.
 


Programs include
 

• Mite Boxes
• World Mission Rosary
• COME Program
• National Christmas Art Contest
• World Mission Sunday
• World Mission Rosary 
  • Developed by Archbishop Fulton Sheen in 1951, each decade represents one continent of the world.
  • Children pray for missionaries serving across every continent.
    • Created by Archbishop Fulton Sheen while serving as National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies, the World Mission Rosary reminds us that our prayers embrace the entire world.
       
      Each color represents one continent:
       
      Green — Africa
      Blue — Oceania
      White — Europe
      Red — The Americas
      Yellow — Asia
       
      Every decade is prayed for the people and missionaries of one continent.                   

 

 

• COME Program

 
The Council on Mission Education brings missionaries into Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.
 
Missionaries share their personal experiences while inspiring young people to become missionary disciples.
 

• National Christmas Art Contest

 
Students throughout the Diocese are invited annually to participate in the national contest sponsored by The Pontifical Mission Societies.
 
Each year the Diocese recognizes participating schools and celebrates our students' remarkable achievements.
 

• Annual Mission Awards

 
Every World Mission Sunday the Diocese recognizes Catholic schools and parish religious education programs demonstrating exceptional missionary generosity through their annual per-capita contributions.
 
Recent honorees include
 
Catholic Schools

• St. Joan of Arc School
• St. Jerome School
• St. Peter School

 
Religious Education Programs

• St. Paul Parish
• St. Rose Parish
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

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The Diocese of Trenton rejoices with the universal Church in the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. 
As National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies from 1950–1966, Archbishop Sheen inspired millions to become missionary disciples through his preaching, writing, broadcasting, and unwavering love for Christ.
 
His missionary legacy continues to inspire Catholics around the world.