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.
Pontifical Mission Societies
Together with the work and witness of mission priests, religious sisters and brothers, and lay pastoral leaders, the Pontifical Mission Societies support the proclamation of the Gospel around the world. These missionaries reveal the compassionate heart of Jesus through their work that often entails providing not only spiritual support but also food, education, and medical care to the most vulnerable communities in the pope’s missions.
The pope specifically requested that The Pontifical Mission Societies help spread the message of Christ to the world, mainly in those countries where Christianity is too recent or too poor to sustain itself, and in any place where Jesus has been denied, forgotten, persecuted, or shunned.
The societies care for and support new churches until they can be self-sufficient. This was the case of the Church in the United States which was considered a mission territory until 1908. Many of the churches in this country were built thanks to the support of The Pontifical Mission Societies.
Four Societies: One Mission
The Pontifical Missions Societies includes four individual societies with complementary goals. The Society for the Propagation of the Faith supports missionaries and evangelization efforts. The Missionary Childhood Association empowers children to help other children in need. The Society of St. Peter the Apostle aids seminarians and novices in mission territories. And the Pontifical Missionary Union provides spiritual formation for priests, religious, and laity.
Missio: Support the Pontifical Mission Societies
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 is supporting Christians in the Holy Land or helping people in the Diocese of Maiduguri in Nigeria recover from devastating flooding. Learn more and Donate today.
Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS is motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve, and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as it acts to promote human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies. It also serves Catholics in the United States, helping them to live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.
CRS Rice Bowl: Celebrating 50 Years
Fifty years ago, Catholics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, came together to help families facing famine in Africa. That help came in the form of a small cardboard box, marking the beginning of “Operation Rice Bowl.” In 2025, we celebrate CRS Rice Bowl’s 50th anniversary. The Lenten program, which combines prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, is a tradition for millions of Catholics in the United States who continue to answer the Gospel call, supporting families experiencing hunger around the world. Seventy-five percent of donations go to support Catholic Relief Services' work in 120 countries, while 25 percent remains in the diocese to support hunger and poverty alleviation efforts at home.Learn more.
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."
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
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.
