The Great Commission of Christ to his disciples still echoes today in the lives of missionaries who have dedicated themselves to bringing the Gospel to others. This is Christ’s Great Commission:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).
As Catholic missionaries serve members of the global community, they seek to bring them into the loving embrace of Christ and his Church. Divine Word Missionaries, the largest Roman Catholic order focused on missionary work, serve in remote mission locations worldwide. Through our Catholic missionary work, Divine Word Missionaries strive to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission.
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What Is Catholic Missionary Work?
Catholic missionary work is the practice of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to communities around the world. Rooted in the Great Commission, Catholic mission work encompasses areas including evangelization, education, poverty relief and advocacy.
A Catholic mission is an organized effort by the Church to reach people in remote or underserved communities, offering both care and support for those most in need.
What Do Catholic Missionaries Do?
The Catholic Church is one of the largest faith traditions on earth. More than 1.4 billion people identify as Catholic, and Catholics make up approximately 17 percent of the world's population. While accomplishing its mission to bring Jesus Christ to every corner of the globe, the Church is also committed to upholding the life and dignity of the human person.
The importance of promoting the dignity of human life is pivotal to acts of Catholic charity:
"Human persons are willed by God; they are imprinted with God's image. Their dignity does not come from the work they do, but from the persons they are" (St. John Paul II, Centesimus annus, no. 11).
In keeping with the commitment of the Church, Catholic missionaries dedicate their lives to serving others, especially the vulnerable and marginalized.
Divine Word Missionaries echo the teachings of Christ through acts of service that address the whole person, including:
- feeding the hungry
- caring for the sick
- fostering education
- sheltering the homeless
- providing spiritual formation and vocational training
Featured Mission: A Proper Place to Learn
In Loreto, a remote corner of Agusan del Sur in the Philippines, children had only one classroom—a cramped, makeshift structure where multiple grade levels were crowded together, rain poured through the walls and the conditions made real learning nearly impossible. Every day, these children made a long, difficult journey to school, only to arrive at a place that could barely be called one.
Divine Word Missionaries at San Isidro Labrador Parish refused to accept that as good enough. Working alongside local partners, they built a durable, climate-resilient school. They blessed it in a joyful ceremony surrounded by priests, teachers and the families whose children would now learn inside it. For children once forgotten by geography, they at last had a safe space to learn and thrive as they deserved. This was only made possible because Divine Word Missionaries acted in the face of need.
Four Ways Divine Word Missionaries Serve the Global Church
Divine Word Missionaries serve the poor while bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to communities around the world. Through evangelization, formation, counseling and offering the sacraments, Divine Word Missionaries share the teachings of the Church to all those we encounter, spreading the love of Christ so that all people may come to know the truth of salvation.
Here are the four main areas of mission:
1. Parish life
The local parish is the heart and home of the people of God. Divine Word Missionaries work closely with the local bishop and church in every area of the world where we are present.
In many areas of the world, the local church depends on Divine Word Missionaries to operate and staff parishes, offering life and grace to people who would not otherwise have access to the sacraments and the spiritual communities they need. Strong parishes nurture the life of faith in the flock.
2. Evangelization and catechesis
Catechesis and the study of Scripture are central to our missionary and parish life. Our missionaries conduct Bible studies, classes on basic Catholic doctrine, programs to read the Catholic catechism and Dei Verbum programs designed to help people learn to love and understand the Word. We work with communities to integrate the teachings of Jesus and their faith into their lives and culture.
3. Counseling services
Divine Word Missionaries have long supported and provided counseling to the parishes and communities they serve around the world. Whether it is marriage, family, substance abuse or spiritual counseling, Divine Word Missionaries do their best to fill this need in the human heart.
Our missionaries also work with other trained professionals to offer people the tools and space they need to heal and grow.
4. Formation of seminarians and catechists
One of the primary ways that Divine Word Missionaries serve the global church is through the training and formation of the next generation of priests, Brothers and lay catechists. According to the Vatican, there are 3,408 Catholics per Catholic priest in the world today. In remote or rural parts of the world, a single missionary priest can open up the life of faith and regular access to the sacraments to communities of people who have no other way of learning about Jesus and his Church.
Frequently Asked Questions About Catholic Missionary Work
Support the Catholic Missionary Work of Divine Word Missionaries
Despite the diversity of culture, location and customs, the global Church is ultimately one, unified by the bonds of a common faith and acting as a single instrument of Christ on earth. Through their love of Jesus and their commitment to Christ’s mission, Divine Word Missionaries live among the poor and marginalized and work to bring healing, hope and dignity to those in need.
To spiritually support the missionary work of Divine Word Missionaries, please join us in nine days of prayer for the global Church.
If you wish to provide tangible aid to our missionaries in the field, consider making a gift to Divine Word Missionaries.
