In the early 19th century, a young woman named Pauline Jaricot was moved by the poverty and destitution throughout France and the world. Inspired by her brother’s letters about his work in missions abroad, Jaricot gathered groups of people, asking them to pray daily for the missions and to give a penny a day—a significant sacrifice at the time—to support them.
THP President Deacon Patrick Moynihan (left) speaks with a parishioner of St. Raymond’s Church in Providence, RI.
Through her advocacy for the worldwide missionary work of the Church, Jaricot created the Society for the Propagation of the Faith—one of four Pontifical Mission Societies within the Catholic Church that informs members about global missionary work and encourages active participation through prayer and sacrifice.
Today as part of Diocesan Propagation of the Faith, missionaries all over the world visit parishes to bear witness to their work and ask for support for its perpetuity.
Throughout this past summer, THP visited the four parishes to which it was assigned by the Diocese of Providence. While St. Francis of Assisi Church and its St. Romuald Chapel in South Kingstown, RI, were known to THP, St. Ann Church, Blessed Sacrament Church, and St. Raymond Church, all located in Providence, RI, were new to the Project, bringing a fresh audience to THP’s mission. Most recently, THP was present for Propagation of the Faith at St. Sebastian Church in Sebastian, FL in November.
Deacon Moynihan assisted and preached at each Mass, and members of the THP staff and community were able to engage with parishioners to share updates and materials on THP’s mission, exciting plans for the future, and ways to further get involved. At each Mass, a second collection was taken up to benefit THP.
THP often proclaims that a mission is as strong as the community that sends it. Thanks to the parishes that will welcome THP summer after summer, as well as many growing communities around the US and the world, THP’s mission is well positioned to take root and change lives throughout all of Haiti through the Louverture Cleary Schools Network.