01/06/2026
Vatican: National Directors Make Pilgrimage During PMS General Assembly
On Trinity Sunday, 31 May 2026, the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), gathered in Rome for their annual General Assembly, undertook a pilgrimage to places closely associated with Blessed Paolo Manna and Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot.
The pilgrimage formed part of the celebrations marking the centenary of World Mission Sunday, established in 1926 by Pope Pius XI at the suggestion of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, founded by Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot. The pilgrimage also commemorated the 110th anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union, founded in 1916 by Blessed Paolo Manna.
The first destination was the shrine connected with Blessed Paolo Manna at the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in Ducenta, near Naples. Here the National Directors prayed at the tomb of Blessed Paolo Manna, founder of the Pontifical Missionary Union, who died in Naples on 15 September 1952 and was beatified by Pope St John Paul II on 4 November 2001.
Approximately 120 National Directors participated in the Eucharistic celebration for Trinity Sunday at the shrine. The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Michele Fusco of Benevento. In his homily, he reflected on the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity as a communion of love between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He reminded the participants that the Church is fundamentally relational and that the mission of the Pontifical Mission Societies is rooted in communion. Just as the Trinity is a communion of love, so the Church is called to gather all peoples into the one family of God, promoting reconciliation, unity and peace through Jesus Christ.
The second place of pilgrimage was the Sanctuary of St Philomena in Mugnano del Cardinale, near Avellino. Here the National Directors prayed before the chair associated with Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot. Tradition recalls that, after seeking the intercession of St Philomena during a period of serious illness, Pauline experienced a remarkable recovery and left her chair at the sanctuary as a sign of gratitude. St Philomena was also greatly loved and promoted by St John Vianney, the Curé of Ars.
The pilgrimage proved to be a deeply enriching spiritual experience for all the National Directors, especially during this special year marking the centenary of World Mission Sunday and the 110th anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union. Through the intercession of St Philomena, Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot and Blessed Paolo Manna, the participants entrusted all their missionary activities and celebrations to the Lord.
The pilgrimage was also a living expression of the 2026 World Mission Sunday theme, “One in Christ, United in Mission.” Inspired by the witness of Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot and Blessed Paolo Manna, the National Directors renewed their commitment to fostering missionary discipleship, missionary cooperation and solidarity among the Churches throughout the world. Their witness continues to remind us that mission is born from communion with Christ and flourishes through collaboration, generosity and faith.
The National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Malawi expresses its sincere gratitude to the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rome for organising this important spiritual experience. As Malawi prepares for its National Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday, scheduled for 3 October 2026 at Mzuzu Stadium in the Diocese of Mzuzu, all dioceses are encouraged to participate in large numbers and to renew their commitment to the Church’s missionary mandate.
As the Church celebrates one hundred years of World Mission Sunday, may this milestone inspire a renewed missionary spirit among all the faithful, strengthening our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel and to building a world where all people recognise themselves as brothers and sisters, united in Christ and sent forth in mission.
