We share in full the keynote speech that Archbishop Emilio Nappa, International President of The Pontifical Mission Societies, delivered at National Meeting of The Pontifical Mission Societies USA held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nov. 15-18,2024.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
It is a great joy to be with you today as we gather to reflect on and strengthen the mission entrusted to us by Christ Himself: to go to all nations and proclaim the Good News. I am grateful for this opportunity to address you, members of The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States. You play a vital role in ensuring that the missionary spirit of the Church remains alive in every diocese, parish, and community across the United States.
I would like to being by thanking Father Anthony Andreassi, who at a time of crisis, agreed to be the interim director of the National Office, guiding the team through many internal challenges. And I also welcome here today the presence of the new National Director, Father Roger Landry, who will take the helm in January. And I want to thank you, members of the diocesan network, for having remained steadfast and always ready to help the National Office, knowing that even though they are at your service, you comprise a network called to collaborate in subsidiarity. The work that we do, though gratifying, is not something we do for ourselves, at the service of our diocese, or even of a Vatican office: We truly are laborers at the service of those who are workers in the missionary fields, sharing Christ’s redeeming message in over 1,100 ecclesiastical circumscriptions in all of Asia, Africa, Oceania and parts of Latin America.
Today, I want to touch on several key aspects of our shared mission. We will speak of the remarkable generosity of the universal Church toward the Church in the United States, the missionary identity of the U.S. Church, and the important role played by Archbishop Fulton Sheen in the development of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in this country. Finally, I will discuss the essential need for the National Office and Diocesan Offices of The Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) to work together, ensuring that every Catholic in the United States—especially children—knows and understands the importance of supporting missionaries.
The Generosity of the Universal Church with the Church in the United States
We must begin by acknowledging the extraordinary generosity of the universal Church to the Church in the United States. Until 1908, the U.S. was considered mission territory, and the support of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, founded by Blessed Pauline Jaricot in 1822 helped the faith take root here. Through her vision of small prayer circles and contributions—often just a penny a week—the Society was able to provide crucial financial support to the great Diocese of Louisiana, that extended from the Florida Keys to Canada.
Blessed Pauline understood the importance of involving everyone, not just wealthy benefactors. Her prayer circles were the foundation of a movement that welcomed every Catholic to participate in the Church’s mission. This grassroots involvement allowed the Church to grow not only through large donations but also through the collective contributions of the faithful, offering spiritual and financial support to missions worldwide. Today, this model is just as essential. While we need larger donors, we must remember that the heart of TPMS lies in inviting all Catholics—regardless of their resources—to contribute what they can. We must continue to build on this foundational principle, encouraging all to give, pray, and support the mission.
Central to this generosity is the Universal Solidarity Fund, sustained by contributions from the faithful worldwide. This fund, with its far-reaching scope, supports missionary efforts in over 1,100 particular churches (Archdioceses, dioceses, apostolic vicariates etc.) by providing ordinary subsidies for reinforcing ecclesiastical infrastructures in these local Churches, assistance for retired bishops, subsidies for catechists, extraordinary subsidies of diverse projects (churches, chapels, schools, convents, vehicles, etc.) in mission territories. In the past year alone, the fund was able to finance over 2,7 00 projects focused on education and protection for children, supported over 74,080 minor and major seminarians, build 751 churches and helped 258,540 religious sisters in mission territories. These statistics highlight the profound impact that even the smallest donations can have on the growth of the Church in mission territories.
But the importance of TPMS extends beyond financial aid. Our mission is rooted in the Church’s identity as a communion of “sister Churches,” where the strong help the weak and the young are nurtured by the mature. As Pope Francis reminds us, the mission of the Church is not merely to aid the poorest territories but to create a culture of solidarity that binds us all. Through the fund, we aim to help Churches in mission territories become autonomous, so that they too can assist those in greater need.
The Missionary Identity of the Catholic Church in the United States
The United States may no longer be considered a mission territory, but it remains deeply missionary at its core. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Catholic missionaries from this country went forth to bring the Gospel to distant lands. Their efforts were part of a larger, global movement of evangelization that continues today.
In addition to being a recipient of aid in its early days, the Church in the United States has become one of the greatest contributors to the missionary Church, both financially and spiritually. The missionary identity of the U.S. Church is tied to the many men and women who responded to Christ’s call and went forth as missionaries themselves.
Take, for example, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, who, after arriving in the United States in the late 1800s, founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages that helped care for waves of immigrants. Similarly, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint, helped build the foundation for Catholic education in the United States. She responded to the needs of the growing Church in America with the same zeal that missionaries abroad carry into territories where the Church is young and struggling.
And we cannot speak of the missionary work of the Church in the United States without honoring the legacy of one of its greatest advocates: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. His leadership as National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith not only transformed TPMS USA but also helped to inspire a generation of Catholics to embrace the mission of the Church.
Archbishop Sheen had a remarkable ability to bring the Church’s mission to the forefront of Catholic consciousness. His message was simple, yet profound: “The poor missions of the world need the comfortable to supply roofs for their churches, medicine for their hospitals, and clothes for their backs, but the comfortable need the poor in order that they may have the blessing of God in their hearts, the charity of Christ in their souls, and the intercession of the poor who are the friends of God.”
His leadership and dedication to the missions are examples for all of us as we continue our work.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen served as National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the faith, one of four Pontifical Mission Societies, for decades.
The Need for Collaboration: National and Diocesan Offices Working Together
As we look ahead, one of the greatest challenges we face is ensuring that every Catholic in the United States is aware of and engaged with the work of TPMS. This requires close collaboration between the National Office and Diocesan Mission Offices. We must work together to ensure that TPMS is not just a name on a pamphlet, but a vital part of the faith life of every Catholic. The role of the National Director is crucial for the mission of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA. His task is to coordinate the efforts of Diocesan Directors and offering them support and ongoing formation.
A unified, consistent message about the importance of supporting missionaries will help us reach new generations, from the bishops to those in the neo catechumenate, and especially our children. The introduction of a new logo and visual identity that you will hear about shortly, offers a unique opportunity to unify our mission across all four Pontifical Societies, bringing renewed energy and clarity to our communications.
While many dioceses in the United States have developed beautiful and meaningful relationships with mission territories—often through partnerships that foster deep spiritual and cultural exchange—it is crucial to remember that our first priority is supporting the Holy Father’s universal missionary efforts.
The General Solidarity Fund, which is sustained through the World Mission Sunday collection, Mass stipends, and other generous gifts, is the primary means by which we can offer aid to mission territories worldwide. This fund is essential in ensuring that no region is left without the resources needed to continue spreading the Gospel. Though diocesan partnerships are a vital part of our missionary outreach, we must remain committed to the broader mission of the Church, always placing our contributions at the service of the Pope’s global vision for evangelization.
Conclusion
As we look to the future, we must ask ourselves: Who are the Cabrinis, the Setons, the Mother Theresas of today? Who are the silent, often anonymous missionaries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America who are building the Church, brick by brick, life by life? They may not yet be known to us, but they are out there, living out the Gospel in some of the most challenging places in the world. And who but you, missionary advocates in the United States, can help ensure they have the support they need to carry out this vital work?
We are called to continue this legacy, to ensure that the missionaries of today and tomorrow have the support they need. Just as the universal Church once came to the aid of the United States in its early years, so today I ask you to offer the same support to mission territories around the world, but keeping well in mind that we are still mission territory for proclamation: progressive de-Christianization is leading our society to polarization and psychological and existential loneliness, elements that make society unstable and facilitate evil. Therefore, we need to re-evangelize, and through asking others for help, we already have a way to make the Gospel known.
Through our prayers and our generosity, we are invited to walk alongside these modern-day saints. We are called to support them materially and spiritually, just as the early Church once supported the missionary Church in the United States. When each of you contributes to the work of TPMS, you are not just sending funds; you are sending hope. You are empowering those on the frontlines of evangelization, ensuring that the light of Christ continues to shine in every corner of the world.
