Global Mission Office

One Church in Mission

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith (SPOF) was founded in 1882 to offer spiritual and material support for efforts that proclaim the Kingdom of God in our world. In 1919, Pope Benedict XV declared that all Catholics are called to participate in the command to “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Bearing a special responsibility in the Universal Church, SPOF was designated as one of four Pontifical Mission Societies in 1922. In 1926, the Archdiocese of Chicago established SPOF locally to engage the faithful in the global mission of the Church. The local SPOF ministry became an independent legal corporation in 1935.

Today, the Global Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago facilitates support for the Pontifical Mission Societies through the local SPOF corporation. SPOF and the Global Mission Office staff who administer it are funded independently of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Pontifical Mission Societies

The Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) operate under the direct canonical jurisdiction of the Holy Father who, together with the entire body of bishops, reminds all the faithful of their baptismal call to mission. The societies facilitate financial support for efforts to build and sustain communities of faith in mission areas of Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Latin America. TPMS include:

  • The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which facilitates spiritual and material support for pastoral programs, religious education work, health care, economic development, education, and the building of churches;
  • The Missionary Childhood Association, which enables youth to participate in the mission work of the Church through education, prayer, and financial support of their global neighbors;
  • The Society of St. Peter Apostle, which supports the education of candidates for the priesthood in mission dioceses and the formation of religious men and women in the developing world, and
  • The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious, which encourages and forms missionary awareness in all priests and religious women and men, so they may cultivate a missionary spirit in their ministries.

The Global Mission Office also facilitates support for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA). CNEWA serves those most in need in the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India, and Eastern Europe through ministries that build up the church, affirm human dignity, alleviate poverty, encourage dialogue, and inspire hope.

More Info
The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States of America (Link)
Catholic Near East Welfare Association (Link)
MISSIO United States (Link)
World Mission News from Agenzia Fides (Link)