The year 2022 is indeed an exceptional one for the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) as it marks a series of important milestones: the 400th anniversary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which is responsible for the PMS; the 200th anniversary of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (Mission Foi in Canada); and the 100th anniversary of the recognition of the “pontifical” status of the Mission Foi, Mond'Ami, and Prêtres de demain societies.

From OPM Canada

•    400th anniversary of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, which later became the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples 
•    200th anniversary of the foundation of the first missionary society—the Society for the Propagation of the Faith 
•    100th anniversary of the pontifical recognition of three of the four societies (the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Missionary Childhood Association and the Society of St. Peter the Apostle)
•    Beatification of Pauline Jaricot, founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which is part of the Pontifical Mission Societies
•    150th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Paolo Mana, founder of the Pontifical Missionary Union—the 4th Society of the PMS  

This year is also the 150th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Paolo Manna, p.i.m.e., founder of the Pontifical Missionary Union (Animissio), which joined the PMS in 1956.

In this year of jubilees, Archbishop Giampietro Dal Toso, President of the PMS, hopes that “the Church will reflect on what Mission means in today’s society and re-discover the meaning of Mission as a proclamation of the Gospel.”

Among these historical milestones, the most important event will take place on May 22, 2022: the beatification in Lyon of Pauline Jaricot, the young French laywoman who founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and ultimately the PMS. She died 160 years ago and was one of the most important figures in the Church’s worldwide missionary history. She is the reason that the PMS is now a global network at the service of the Pope, committed to supporting the mission of the Church through prayer and charity. 

“This year will be a memorable one for the Pontifical Mission Societies, not only because we are celebrating important jubilees, but especially because it marks the beatification of Pauline Jaricot, who is at the origin of our societies,” explained Father Yoland Ouellet, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies for French Canada. “I invite each and every one of us to discover the fascinating story of this young visionary laywoman as well as the many societies she is responsible for creating—societies that still remain as relevant and useful today.”

In his message for World Mission Day, which will be celebrated this year on October 23, 2022, Pope Francis says he continues to “dream of a completely missionary Church and a new era of missionary activity among Christian communities,” pointing out that this year “gives us the opportunity to commemorate some important dates for the life and mission of the Church,” and expressing “the hope that local Churches will find in these Societies a sure means for fostering the missionary spirit among the People of God.”

Canadian initiatives

The Pontifical Mission Societies of French Canada wish to give thanks for this rich history together with the national PMS directorates established in 120 countries across five continents and to highlight the achievements of each of these societies. 

To this end, resources, tools and animations will be offered throughout the year on the PMS website and in dioceses. For example, a series of videos will present people from various backgrounds who are working, each in their own way, to spread the faith. Other short videos, in the form of personal testimonies, will illustrate how each person has the ability to be, in his or her own way, a missionary disciple.

To watch the first video, click here.