In the mid-19th century, Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson of France was deeply moved by reports from French missionaries in China about the many children dying without having received Baptism. Although he longed to become a missionary himself, circumstances prevented him from traveling. Seeking guidance, he turned to Pauline Jaricot, founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Their conversation led to an inspired idea: if he could not go himself, why not engage the children of France to help their peers in mission territories through prayer and material support?
Bishop de Forbin-Janson invited children to commit to "One Hail Mary a day, one penny a month"—a small but powerful way to care for a child's physical and spiritual well-being. On May 19, 1843, this initiative formally began, planting the seeds for what would become the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA). Years later, its mission was beautifully summarized in the motto: "Children Helping Children."
Today, the Missionary Childhood Association is active in over 130 countries, and its motto has expanded:
Children pray for children.
Children evangelize children.
Children help children
around the world.
The MCA nurtures a missionary spirit in children, encouraging them to share their faith and material resources—especially with their most vulnerable peers— while fostering vocations to missionary service. It serves as a vital tool for children to grow in faith and develop a sense of universal solidarity.
The Missionary Childhood Association seeks to:
Inspire children to be open-hearted and apostolic in their communities.
Help children experience the joy of being part of a global family where everyone is important and helps one another.
Educate children in a missionary outlook, expanding their awareness of the needs of children worldwide.
Three key elements define the work of the Missionary Childhood Association:
Children in MCA commit to praying daily for other children and for the spread of the Gospel worldwide.
Missionary children make small sacrifices to help those in need. Their offerings—collected by national mission offices—support the Universal Solidarity Fund for Missionary Childhood, which provides funding for projects benefiting millions of children.
In the United States, children are encouraged to help other children through the Mite Boxes, a decades old program that allows them to learn about, pray for and give to the children in mission territories.
Through these contributions, children in Asia, Africa, Oceania, the Pacific Islands and Oceania receive:
By their words and actions, missionary children inspire their peers and become witnesses of faith and love in their families, schools, and communities.
The Missionary Childhood Association fosters Christian and human development, providing spaces for catechesis, prayer, and service. Activities include:
Visits to the poor and the sick
Engagement in missionary awareness campaigns
Participation in diocesan and parish catechetical programs
Though organized at the local level, the MCA always maintains a universal outlook— reminding children that every prayer and every sacrifice can change lives across the world.
The Missionary Childhood Association thrives when Catholic communities encourage children to:
Through the MCA, children become missionaries themselves, shaping the future of the Church.
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