The foundations of the PMS date back to 1822 with Pauline Jaricot establishing the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (POF). She discovered an ingenious system of engaging the faithful in the mission of the Church by prayer and fundraising. The initiative began with a small circle of friends who prayed daily for the mission ad gentes and gave a small weekly donation in support of the Church’s mission ad gentes. This quickly spread throughout France and beyond. Drawing from Pauline’s inspiration and following her insistence on first prayer and then charity for missionaries around the world, Bishop Charles For bin Janson, seeing the need to bring the Gospel to children in mission countries, was inspired to involve their peers in France in the task of evangelization by founding the Society of the Holy Childhood (MCA). Soon after, Jean Bigard and her mother, Stephanie, followed this path and founded the Society of St. Peter the Apostle for the formation of indigenous clergy (POSPA). Finally, in 1916, Blessed Paolo Manna founded the Missionary Union to encourage and form bishops and priests to be zealous for the mission ad gentes (PMU).

In 1922, Pope Pius XI proclaimed the first three Societies Pontifical. Later, in 1956, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the fourth one Pontifical, and Saint Paul VI Pope subsequently confirmed the pontifical recognition, recommending the Missionary Union again to all bishops (for missionary formation and animation in their dioceses). As Peter’s successor and Universal Pastor, the Pope expresses his missionary solicitude for the whole Church and for each local Church through the work of the PMS. The charismatic origin of these four Societies was authoritatively reaffirmed by Pope Francis in the Message for World Mission Sunday 2022: The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature, since it is from the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit that she draws her origin, in accordance with the decree of God the Father (Cf. Dogmatic constitution, “Lumen Gentium,” 1). 2nd week of February celebrations of MCA day and collections should be held on this day and even whole month of February towards MCA. Money is sent to Rome and is used upon request by dioceses for the promotion of faith in children through education, health and so on.

Month of July is the celebration of vocations and collections towards vocations to be held. Money is sent to Rome. The beneficiaries of this money are seminaries, religious novitiates and new vocations. Month of October, mostly third week, we celebrate mission Sunday and a collection towards evangelization is held. The money is collected and sent to Rome. Particular Churches or Dioceses then send project proposals requesting money specifically for building new churches, formation and animation of the clergy, religious and lay faithful.

PMU is celebrated on the day of consecrated life and there is no specific date. The promotion of formation and animation of the clergy and religious draws funds from POF, i.e. Propagation of Faith.