Mission Office

The Mission Office of the Diocese of Paterson enthusiastically embraces the challenge of our baptismal commitment to Jesus Christ. We are privileged to participate in His mission embodied in the Church to build unity among all peoples in the world. It is comprised of the Pontifical Mission Societies namely the Missionary Childhood Association, the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Society of St. Peter, the Apostle. They are given the title “Pontifical” in 1922 hence, they are under the canonical jurisdiction of the Holy Father, who, together with the entire body of bishops, remind the faithful of their baptismal call to mission.

The Pontifical Mission Societies supports 1,150 mission dioceses in Asia, Africa, Europe, The Pacific Islands and Latin America. We invite you to contact us if you need additional information and we hope that you will join us in our work through the many activities and programs we offer.

The Mission Office is dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ by providing:

• An awareness of mission in schools and parishes
• Opportunities for financial support
• Celebrations of solidarity in mission
• Spiritual and financial support for the missions

The Rosary is a special set of prayers to God that help us to remember, reflect and meditate the most important events in the lives of Mary and Jesus.

In 1951, the now Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen created the World Mission Rosary. Each decade of the World Mission Rosary represents a different area of the world where missionaries continue to share the Good News of Jesus.

GREEN symbolizes the forests and grasslands of AFRICA.

BLUE is for the ocean surrounding the Islands of the PACIFIC.

WHITE symbolizes EUROPE, home of the Holy Father, shepherd of the world.

RED shows the fire of faith that brought the first missionaries to the AMERICAS, and:

YELLOW, is for the morning light of the EAST, symbolizing ASIA.

To pray the World Mission Rosary, reflect on each area of the world according to the particular color bead at the time you announce each mystery.

When you have completed the World Mission Rosary, you have given the World a big hug!