Society for the Propagation of the Faith is an international association coordinating assistance for Catholic missionary priests, brothers, and nuns in mission areas. It is the largest and oldest of the four Pontifical MissioThen Societies and was founded in 1822 by the Venerable Pauline Jaricot. Its purpose is to seek prayer and sacrifice for the world's missions.
Pontifical status was granted to the Society on May 3, 1922 and its central administration was transferred to Rome. It thus became the Church’s official organization for mission aid. The Propagation of the Faith raises funds to help the 1,100 dioceses throughout the world which are not able to be self-supporting, primarily in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and regions of Latin America. It also challenges young people to go to these dioceses as lay missionaries, sisters, priests and brothers. This society is supported by high school and college students, and adults from all walks of life.
The financial contributions for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith in the Diocese of Pittsburgh largely come from:
World Mission Sunday – this is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice and is a worldwide celebration and collection each October
Missionary Cooperation Plan (MCP) – a visit between June and September by a missionary representing a men’s or women’s missioncongregation, a mission diocese or a lay mission organization to every parish in the diocese.
Direct mail campaigns are conducted each year and we encourage all with a heart for the missions to join our mailing list to receive timely information! To support the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies, click here.
Funds are received from wills, bequests, and legacies
Outright gifts made by the faithful of the Diocese of Pittsburgh