We Love You Holy Father!

Together with you, the family of supporters of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, I offer our prayers and deep affection to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, chief missionary of the Church, as he steps aside from the Chair of Peter into a new life of retirement, of quiet prayer and of continued devotion to the Lord.



When I was introduced to Pope Benedict in 2011, the Pope immediately recognized the tremendous love that American Catholics have for him and for the Church: "Great works," he said to me, smiling, acknowledging the generosity of Catholics here at home for the Church throughout the world.

The Pope's decision to retire is a characteristic act of love for the whole Church, above all else. He has offered us an example of true humility. The consummate teacher, he continues to show us that only in union with Christ are all things possible.

Like St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI has poured out his life in service of God, the Church and the poor. He has not yet run his race to the very end. We pray for him as he enters this next stage of his life. And as we do, we commit ourselves to the ongoing Year of Faith, asking that it may bring renewed energy to the mission of the Church. In this period of transition, we pray for the Church, confident that the Lord remains close to us, now in a special way. God Bless the Pope!

Father Andrew Small, OMI
National Director

A Christmas Message - From Egypt

Merry Christmas to you all from St. Mary the Virgin Parish in Cairo – yes, Egypt!

Arriving only days before Christmas, I am a guest of our National Director, Father Antonious Fayez, who is also pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church. It was to Egypt that the Holy Family fled, seeking safety from the wrath of Herod. Today, seeking hope and peace, children and families here find both and an abundance of God’s love, through the service of many missionaries and local priests and religious – work and witness supported by your prayers and sacrifices through the Pontifical Mission Societies. I think especially of refugee families from Sudan that I met this afternoon, who, for many years, have found a welcoming home and concrete help from the Catholic community in Cairo and Alexandria.

I wanted to come to Egypt at Christmastime to express our solidarity with the Church here, particularly our Catholic Coptic brothers and sisters who face challenges at many levels. Here in the country of Moses as he liberated the Hebrews from slavery in Old Testament times, I feel close to you, our mission family and partners in this holy work. You are here also. We are bound together in prayer for the poor, the oppressed, the refugee and the outsider. Their story is the story of the Christ-child and the Holy Family – it is our story as we celebrate once again the difference God makes.

Know that you and your intentions have a special place in the Masses celebrated and the prayers offered during this missionary journey. I invite you to make this journey with me, following the coverage on our website, and our Facebook page. If moved, then please take a moment to donate to the work of missionary evangelization by clicking here.

And, as you do so, I ask your own prayers for the Church in Egypt – for Father Ahmed, Sister Samiha – and the Church throughout the Missions. May all come to celebrate joyfully the message of the angel that first Christmas: “Good news of great joy for all people… a Savior is born!”