Missio is the Pope’s official charity for world mission. There are 120 Missio offices globally; working in solidarity to share God’s love through practical help and spiritual care. Originally founded in 1817 by Blessed Pauline Jaricot, an 18 year-old French woman, Missio now operates in over 160 countries worldwide, supporting local missionaries who serve in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Key word: Mission 

The word ‘mission’ started as the ancient Latin word — mittō. Mittō meant sent. As children of God, we are sent into our world to share God’s love with everyone, everywhere. This is the mission Jesus gave us.

Helpful short film: What is Missio?

Missio supports missionaries to work alongside communities that are poor or in need, regardless of their background or belief. Together, we support thousands of projects worldwide which focus on:

• providing everything missionaries need to bring hope to people who need it most, including: food and healthcare, faith and friendship, transport and training
• supporting the education of children and teens
• training future priests, religious sisters, and lay catechists
• building simple churches and church buildings – these are often spaces that benefit the whole community, providing safe spaces to gather

Key word: Lay Catechist

A lay catechist is a Catholic who is not a priest or religious sister, but is assigned to teach the Catholic faith within their own parish community. Lay catechist’s often work alongside priests, but in remote regions where a priest may only be present once a month, lay catechists help to sustain the faith of their communities. They do this by leading prayer services, Bible study, and preparing people for the Sacraments e.g. Baptism.

Helpful short film: Sent to bring Good News

We provide long term support, serving church communities that are poor until they are self-sufficient. Missionaries are often the first to respond and the last to leave during conflicts and emergencies because they’re not outsiders – they’re trusted members of their communities. Guided and strengthened by their faith in Christ, and the prayerful and financial support we can give them, missionaries stay through conflicts, natural disasters and epidemics, providing consistent support and care.

Key Word: Christ 

Christ is not the surname of Jesus. The word Christ means ‘God’s anointed one’. That is, the one chosen by God the creator to be our true ruler and king. In scripture, Christ is also described as beyond time: ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ (St Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, 13:8).

Helpful short film: Sr Rosa, Missionary of Hope

Missio supports missionaries in poor areas across Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania, working in over 160 countries. We reach remote villages, refugee camps, and marginalised areas where there’s often little or no infrastructure — essentially bridging the gaps. Missio recognises that we are all part of God’s global family. We believe in the dignity of all and support everyone regardless of race, gender, religious or political beliefs.

Key Word: Dignity 

We are all children of God the father; made in his image and likeness. This bestows on all people a dignity that impacts the way in which we treat one another – those we know and meet, but also those we may not know or who live many miles away.

Helpful short film: What is it that missionaries do?

Guided by the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, Missio works to build a Church that is for all people and welcomes all people – one that’s inclusive, universal and always puts the poorest and most vulnerable first. Missio listens to what communities need on a case-by-case basis and works to provide it, using trusted missionaries and local networks. Missionaries live as Jesus did – meeting people in their everyday lives and working alongside communities, rather than imposing solutions from outside.

Key Word: Church 

The word Church, isn’t just used to describe a sacred building. It is also used to describe the community of people who follow the teaching and example of Jesus. Our Christian community began over 2000 years ago with Jesus’ disciples. Today, it has over 1.4 billion members living all over the world.