Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Warsaw (Fides News Agency) – Once again in 2026, between June and July, the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Poland organized their now well-established annual “School for Missionary Animators.”
Held in Warsaw from June 30 to July 3, this year's event brought together 42 participants, including seminarians, women religious, and lay volunteers.
The School for Missionary Animators is designed to foster missionary zeal and deepen participants' knowledge of the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Its well-established program combines moments of prayer, daily Eucharistic celebrations, workshops, lectures, personal testimonies, meetings, and opportunities for participants to share their missionary experiences.
This year's edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the centenary of the institution of World Mission Sunday (1926–2026), the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Missionary Union, and the 200th anniversary of the Living Rosary, promoted by Blessed Pauline Jaricot, foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
"This year's School has once again been enriched by the presence and witness of missionaries from Africa and South America," noted Fr. Maciej Bedzinski, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Poland.
A new initiative: The Missionary Academy
To mark the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU), the Missionary Academy was officially inaugurated on July 1. The new initiative consists of a three-semester online course in missiology.
The first lecture, dedicated to Sacred Scripture as the source of the Church's mission, was delivered by Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union. It was attended by the Academy's 112 enrolled students, together with the 42 participants in the School for Missionary Animators.
Further lectures are scheduled over the coming months and will address topics including: The essence of revealed faith and the figure of Jesus Christ (September); Christian identity in relation to religion (October); The principles of developing revealed faith and missionary inculturation (November); The Kerygma, catechesis and the foundations of missionary activity (December).
The Missionary Academy has already attracted interest beyond Poland's borders, with participants from several countries, (Spain, South Africa, Bolivia, Zambia and Rwanda).
School participants complete their training with a diploma and a special mandate, becoming valuable collaborators for the Pontifical Mission Societies. (EG) (Fides News Agency, 4/7/2026)
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