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.

Join in prayer and support for the people of South Sudan

The countries of South Sudan and Sudan face a dire humanitarian situation due to a combination of conflict, climate-driven crises, and displacement. In South Sudan, consecutive years of extreme flooding have led to a significant displacement of people and loss of lands and assets. An estimated 7.1 million people, or 59% of the country's population, are experiencing a level of food deprivation that puts their lives or livelihoods in immediate danger. Families are selling whatever they own to try to survive but are facing starvation, critical levels of acute malnutrition, and even death. An influx of more than 700,000 refugees or returnees from neighboring Sudan due to an ongoing conflict there has excacerbated the situation as has an increasing number of people returning to South Sudan from Ethiopia due to a spike in violence there.

In Sudan, the humanitarian crisis is worsening due to an ongoing armed conflict that began in April 2023. More than 10.5 million people have been displaced, and the fighting has destroyed infrastructure, limiting people's access to water, healthcare, and other goods and services. Across the country, 25.6 million people, more than half the population, face severe food shortages.

Despite significant challenges, CRS and its local partners are continuing its efforts to serve people in both countries, prioritizing its emergency response efforts in those areas most severely impacted. In South Sudan, that includes working with the World Food Program to distribute food rations, providing monetary assistance to help people buy food and essential items, helping to increase food production in vulnerable areas, and repairing and constructing water systems. [Read more]

In Sudan, CRS is working to ensure access to safe drinking water by providing water trucks and fuel for motorized pumps at water stations. It is also providing families with kits of essential sanitation and hygiene items, constructing or repairing water points and sanitation systems, and training staff on water treatment and management. [Read more]

Please join in prayer for the people of South Sudan and Sudan and please consider supporting CRS in its efforts to help them.

Help families affected by Hurricane Beryl

Catholic Relief Services is supporting local partners across Latin America and the Caribbean as Hurricane Beryl causes destruction across several southeast Caribbean islands. What started as a Category 5 storm reportedly “flattened” Grenada’s Carriacou island after making landfall on July 1, bringing storm surges and strong winds. Communities across Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Antilles, Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico and other countries in the storm’s path will need emergency relief, protection and recovery. Across affected areas, homes and infrastructure are suffering severe damage from the heavy rains, winds, flooding and landslides. Fallen trees have cut power lines. Many roads remain damaged, leading to transportation difficulties.

In Grenada, a reported 98% of buildings—home to some 6,000 people—are damaged or destroyed. Most families there collect rain from rooftops, which is a low-cost way to store drinking water. With such extreme damage to homes, drinking water is now running out. Families who have left the islands in search of shelter are waiting to return to see what has become of their homes. Priority needs include shelter support, clean water, hygiene supplies, food, and other assistances. 

Hurricane Beryl is unusually strong for this early in the season. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, high ocean temperatures driven by climate change are likely to result in a highly active Atlantic hurricane season, which spans June through November.

Prayer for those affected by Hurricane Beryl.

Support CRS' efforts to assist those impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

Supporting seminaries in Africa and Asia

The Society of St. Peter Apostle, one of the Pontifical Mission Societies, has been supporting seminarians in Asia and Africa since the 19th century. Today, 28,000 men in major seminaries receive assistance, as do men and women religious novices. Among the seminaries being supported is the St. Pius X Archdiocesan Seminary of Bombay, where 100 seminarians are currently studying.

“We are very thankful for the financial support from The Society of St. Peter Apostle because it is not possible for the Christian community in Mumbai to take care of all the needs seminarians have,” said Father Aniceto Pereira, who runs the seminary.

Read more about this important service and how you can help.

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."