Michael Brooks
If you're interested in becoming a Catholic missionary, you'll be joining a long tradition of people dedicated to spreading the teachings and values of the Catholic faith to people around the world. Many Catholic organizations offer opportunities for individuals to become missionaries, providing training, guidance, and support for Catholics interested in sharing their faith through various missions. These missions can take many forms, from short-term trips to foreign countries to local volunteer work, and they can be undertaken by anyone with a calling to serve, including laypeople, families, and single people.
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What You'll Learn
Joining a missionary group or organization
Short-term mission trips
Several Catholic organizations, such as Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (C.N.V.S.), Divine Word Missionaries, and Maryknoll Mission Trips, offer short-term mission trips that can range from a few days to a few weeks. These trips usually focus on specific projects, such as construction, medical assistance, or evangelization programs.
Volunteering in Catholic schools and orphanages
Catholic schools and orphanages around the world often welcome volunteers to assist with educational activities, childcare, and community development programs. This provides an opportunity not only to serve but also to share the Catholic faith with children, families, and communities.
Teaching and healthcare careers
Some Catholic organizations offer opportunities for professionals in the fields of education and healthcare to become missionaries. For example, Totus Tuus calls on college students and seminarians to teach and inspire youth in over 50 arch/dioceses across North America.
Full-time lay missionary work
Organizations like Family Missions Company (FMC) send lay Catholic missionaries and their families to serve in foreign lands for an initial two-year commitment. During this time, they preach the Gospel, serve the poor, and make disciples.
Fundraising and donations
Donating funds to reputable Catholic mission organizations is crucial for financing their projects and supporting missionaries in the field. Participating in mission appeals and fundraising activities organized by parishes and dioceses is another way to contribute to missionary work and promote awareness of the Catholic Church's global outreach.
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Short-term mission trips
Several Catholic organizations, such as Catholic Mission Trips Inc., Christ in the City, Family Missions Company, and FOCUS Missions, arrange short-term mission trips, ranging from a few days to a few weeks, to different parts of the world. These trips are often open to individuals, youth groups, and college students. Some organizations also welcome families with children to participate in their short-term missions.
These short-term missions typically focus on specific projects, such as:
- Building houses
- Providing medical assistance
- Evangelization programs
- Outreach to the homeless
- Construction projects
- Educational programs
The cost of these trips usually includes international airfare, food, lodging, and travel insurance. Some organizations, like FOCUS Missions, also provide a fundraising coach to help you get donations for your trip.
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Teaching or healthcare careers
Catholic schools and orphanages around the world welcome volunteers to assist with educational activities, childcare, and community development programs. Volunteering in these institutions can provide opportunities to not only serve but also to evangelize and share the Catholic faith with children, families, and communities. For example, Totus Tuus is a summer catechetical program that calls upon college students and seminarians from across the United States and Canada to carry out its mission. Teams of four travel to parishes across the archdiocese, teaching classes on theological topics and hosting programs for children and youth.
Some Catholic organizations also offer opportunities for professionals in the fields of education and healthcare to become missionaries. For instance, Christ in the City opens its doors to individuals ready to embrace its mission. As a volunteer or missionary, you become an instrument of love, compassion, and change, making a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
Additionally, several Catholic organizations arrange short-term mission trips, ranging from a few days to a few weeks, to different parts of the world. These trips typically focus on specific projects, such as building houses, providing medical assistance, or conducting evangelization programs.
If you believe God is calling you to become a missionary, you can discern your calling, complete training, and travel to your post. It is important to be involved as a volunteer in your parish and community during your discernment.
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Full-time vs part-time
Becoming a Catholic missionary is a significant commitment, and there are full-time and part-time options available.
Full-time missionaries dedicate themselves entirely to serving and sharing the Gospel, often travelling to foreign lands to preach, serve the poor, and make disciples. This usually involves a two-year commitment to a specific country, and full-time missionaries typically work with a team of other missionaries, serving and evangelizing the local community. For example, Family Missions Company (FMC) offers a two-year full-time missionary program that includes six months of in-person training and placement at a foreign mission post.
On the other hand, part-time missionaries may hold ordinary jobs and volunteer for Catholic charities or go on short-term mission trips in their free time. Part-time missions can also take the form of short-term commitments, such as the Totus Tuus program, which calls on college students and seminarians to teach and inspire youth with their Catholic faith during the summer.
Both full-time and part-time missionaries play vital roles in spreading the message of the Catholic Church and serving those in spiritual and material poverty. Full-time missionaries make a more extensive commitment of time and energy, often relocating to foreign countries, while part-time missionaries can serve in a variety of ways that fit their availability and interests.
It's important to note that not all missionary work looks the same, and individuals should discern the shape that their mission work should take. This may involve considering factors such as the mode of service, duration, location, and target community. Additionally, partnering with a missions agency can provide guidance, training, and ongoing support for those pursuing either full-time or part-time missionary work.
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Training and guidance
The Family Missions Company (FMC), for example, has sent over 1,000 lay Catholic missionaries to spread the Gospel, serve the poor, and make disciples in more than 27 countries. They offer a two-year commitment to a country, where missionaries can serve in a variety of roles, including teaching and healthcare.
Another organization, Christ in the City, offers opportunities for individuals to become volunteers or missionaries, making a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. They provide hands-on experience, allowing volunteers to build relationships, offer support, and provide basic necessities to those in need.
There are also short-term mission trips organized by several Catholic organizations, which can range from a few days to a few weeks and typically focus on specific projects such as construction, medical assistance, or evangelization programs.
For those interested in working with youth, Totus Tuus is a summer catechetical program that calls upon college students and seminarians to inspire young people with their Catholic faith. Missionaries with Totus Tuus travel to different parishes, teaching classes during the day and hosting programs in the evening. They are provided with training, meals, and accommodation with host families.
Additionally, individuals can consider joining missionary groups or organizations that provide more long-term opportunities, such as the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (C.N.V.S.), Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and Maryknoll Mission Trips. These groups often offer more structured programs with comprehensive training and guidance for their missionaries.
Overall, the training and guidance provided by these organizations equip individuals with the necessary skills and support to effectively serve and spread their Catholic faith through missionary work.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic missionary is dedicated to spreading the teachings and values of the Catholic faith to people around the world. This often involves travelling to foreign lands and serving the spiritually and materially poor. However, not all missionaries travel far from home.
Any Catholic can become a missionary. Laypeople, priests, and religious brothers and sisters can all share their faith with people all over the world. Some organisations may require you to fill out a Discernment Inquiry form and speak with a member of their Vocations Team before applying.
Examples of Catholic missionary organisations include Christ in the City, Family Missions Company, Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (C.N.V.S.), Divine Word Missionaries, and Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).
Catholic missionary work can take many forms, including preaching the Gospel, serving the poor, teaching, providing medical assistance, and conducting evangelization programs. Some missionaries may also choose to work with Catholic schools and orphanages, assisting with educational activities, childcare, and community development programs.
