The Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU) was founded on October 31, 1916, by Blessed Paolo Manna, a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). His vision was to form and animate the baptized in their missionary responsibility through the pastoral service of bishops and priests, under the motto: "The whole Church for the whole world."
Originally named the Missionary Union of the Clergy, it was granted the title of "Pontifical" by Pope Pius XII on October 28, 1956. In 1966, Pope St. Paul VI, through the apostolic letter Graves et Increscentes, expanded its mission beyond the clergy to involve all baptized Catholics. Today, the PMU continues to foster missionary formation for the entire People of God, ensuring that all Catholics understand their role in spreading the Gospel.
The Pontifical Missionary Union is dedicated to deepening the missionary awareness of all Catholics—bishops, clergy, religious, and laity—by fostering a commitment to faith, prayer, witness, and charity.
The PMU seeks to build one ecclesial communion where:
The Universal Church and local churches work together to spread the Gospel.
Newly founded churches, missionary institutes, religious communities, ecclesial movements, and lay groups all contribute to evangelization.
The Church dialogues with different cultures and religions, promoting the dignity of every person as a child of God.
The PMU promotes lifelong missionary formation, helping Catholics:
Grow in faith through an ongoing personal encounter with Christ.
Deepen their understanding of evangelization, particularly in areas where faith is absent or Christianity is in the minority.
Recognize their missionary responsibility as part of the Church's universal call to bring salvation to all.
The PMU emphasizes that every Catholic is called to mission, starting in their own local community and extending to the world. By training clergy, religious, and lay leaders, it ensures that the Church remains in a "permanent state of mission."
Through the Pontifical Missionary Union, every believer is invited to embrace the Church's missionary identity, contributing to the spread of the Gospel and the transformation of the world in faith and love.
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