Missionary childhood: Little ones, living and bearing the Good News

The translation of the word Gospel (Evangelion - Εὐαγέλιον - from Greek) is Good News. According to Pope Paul VI, "the Church exists to evangelize" (EN 14), meaning, to bring the good news.

Humans long for love - unconditional love. All the baptized are called to live and proclaim three realities of the Good News for humanity that respond to this existential longing. First, all human beings are loved unconditionally by God. Second, when we suffer because of the absence of good, we can be sure that we have been rescued from that existential dark place where there is no love. Thirdly, because we have been saved, we are called to an abundant life.

Missionary childhood carries this message, from children to children.

The concept of childhood as an essential step in human development is a modern construct, since the beginning of the XIX century. however, the Church has always endeavored to care for and live the good news by including the little ones, as stated in Matthew 19:14: "Suffer the little children to come to me."

In the mid-19th century, during the era of great missionary fervor, the genius of the Missionary Childhood recognized the significance of children's involvement in the mission of living and spreading the good news.

Bishop Charles Forbin-Janson founded the Missionary Childhood in 1843 with the aim of inspiring children and adolescents to become missionaries in their communities and in their neediest regions. During his pontificate (1914-1922), Pope Benedict XV), encouraged the kids' participation in the missionary process.

The Missionary Childhood, also known as the Pontifical Society of Holy Childhood, now has a presence in over 130 countries. It helps children and young people to cultivate a missionary spirit by sharing their faith and material resources, particularly with their less fortunate peers. The Missionary Childhood meets on a regular basis in groups of children, accompanied by an adult, to reflect, pray, and carry out mission related activities. It supports almost 3,000 initiatives around the world.


For more information visit the following link:

https://www.ppoomm.va/fr/chi-siamo/le-4-opere-missionarie/posi.html