Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Participants from Africa, North America, Asia, and Europe are attending the English-language missionary training course for the National Directions of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which will take place in Rome from March 2 to 7. The course is organized by the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU), which is part of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches). The event is coordinated by Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, Secretary General of PMU, and Father Anthony Chantry, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in England and Wales and European Continental Coordinator. The course sessions will take place at CIAM (International Center for Missionary Animation), under the direction of Father Alessandro Brandi. Approximately 30 participants will receive a training program designed to deepen their understanding of the content and the work of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and offer insights and inspiration for local missionary work and collaboration.
Prayer, training, and group work will structure the days, which will also include visits to the key sites of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
On Monday, March 2, the course will begin in the afternoon with introductions to the groups and the celebration of Holy Mass. On Tuesday, Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen will give an introductory talk on the evangelizing mission in the year of anniversaries, focusing on the content of Pope Leo XIV's message to the directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in 2025 and the message for World Mission Sunday 2026. Following this, Father Tadeusz Nowak, Interim Coordinator of the Pontifical Mission Societies and Secretary General of the Pontifical Mission Society for the Propagation of the Faith, will speak about the history and mission of the Pontifical Mission Societies, with a particular focus on the charism of their founders. In the afternoon, participants will visit the International Secretariats of the Pontifical Mission Societies and the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches) in the historic Palazzo de Propaganda Fide. On Wednesday morning, participants will have the opportunity to attend the General Audience with Pope Leo XIV. The afternoon program includes two lectures and a Q&A session on the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies in various countries. On Thursday, Archbishop Samuele Sangalli, Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), will speak on the topic of “The Church’s Mission of Evangelization and the Ministry of the Dicastery for Evangelization.” This will be followed by a lecture by Father Anthony Chantry on the future of the “Missio ad gentes” in light of the teachings of Popes Paul VI to Leo XIV, with a particular focus on the current evangelization mission in Mongolia. Visits to the historical archives of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Pontifical Urban College, the Pontifical Urbaniana University, and the Collegio San Pietro are also planned. On Friday, March 6, discussions on communication and fundraising will take place, during which the contribution of the International Commission of the Pontifical Mission Societies for Communication, Religious Fundraising, and Digital Transformation will be examined in detail. An open discussion will explore concrete proposals for shaping and promoting a new era of mission. This era was initiated by Pope Leo XIV with his call for the establishment of a "new missionary movement," much desired by Pope Francis. The course officially concludes with a joint closing Mass on the morning of Saturday, March 7. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 1/3/2026)
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