MISSIONARY PIONEERS, ONE MISSION: A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON
As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the Centenary of World Mission Sunday (1926–2026) under the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission,” we are reminded that the growth of the Church has always been the fruit of faith, sacrifice, prayer, and missionary generosity.
The inspiring story of Bishop Jean-Louis DuPont and Fr. Pierre Bourget from France beautifully illustrates this missionary spirit. Although they never personally met Blessed Pauline Jaricot, their missionary work in Nyasaland (present-day Malawi) was made possible through the worldwide missionary movement she began in 1822 by founding the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
What makes this story even more remarkable is that these missionary pioneers came from different regions of France yet were united by one mission. Blessed Pauline Jaricot was born in Lyon, where she founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Bishop Jean-Louis DuPont came from Boulogne-sur-Mer before joining the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), while Fr. Pierre Bourget served as a missionary of the Company of Mary (Montfort Missionaries). Although they belonged to different missionary traditions and served in different places, they were united in proclaiming the same Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Blessed Pauline Jaricot firmly believed that every Catholic could become a missionary—not necessarily by travelling to distant lands, but by praying daily for the missions and making small yet regular financial contributions. Her simple but revolutionary vision united ordinary Catholics across the world in a great movement of missionary solidarity. Through this network of prayer and generosity, missionaries received the spiritual and material support needed to proclaim the Gospel in lands where Christ was not yet fully known.
Among those who benefited from this missionary solidarity were Bishop Jean-Louis DuPont and Fr. Pierre Bourget. With the support of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, they were able to establish Christian communities, build churches and schools, form catechists and local clergy, and strengthen the foundations of the Catholic Church in Malawi. The vibrant Church that exists in Malawi today stands as a living testimony to their dedication and to the generosity of countless faithful who supported the missions through the Pontifical Mission Societies.
This historical reality was affirmed by Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa, President of the Commission for Mission of the Catholic Bishops in Malawi. During his visit to Lyon, France—the birthplace of the Pontifical Mission Societies—he visited the historical archives of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. There, he saw original applications submitted by the early missionaries serving in Nyasaland, requesting prayers and financial assistance to sustain their work of evangelization. These documents remain a powerful witness to how missionary solidarity from Catholics around the world helped establish and strengthen the Church in Malawi.
Recognizing the vital importance of sustaining missionary work, Pope Pius XI established World Mission Sunday in 1926 as the universal day on which Catholics throughout the world unite in prayer and generous support for the Church’s missionary activity. For one hundred years, this annual celebration has reminded the faithful that the mission of Christ belongs to the whole Church and that every baptized person has a role to play in proclaiming the Gospel.
As we commemorate this historic centenary, we give thanks to God for the vision of Blessed Pauline Jaricot of Lyon, the missionary zeal of Bishop Jean-Louis DuPont, Fr. Pierre Bourget, and countless other missionaries from France and beyond, as well as for the millions of faithful whose prayers and sacrifices have sustained the missions throughout the past two centuries.
Their story is our story. Their mission is now our mission.
Today, we are all invited to continue this legacy through prayer, missionary witness, and generous support of the Pontifical Mission Societies. As we celebrate one hundred years of World Mission Sunday, may we renew our commitment to Christ’s command to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), so that, One in Christ, United in Mission, we may continue bringing the Good News to every nation.