St. Joseph’s Missionary Society: Introduction

We are a fellowship of Catholics from different continents, cultures and races who are united in our acceptance to the invitation of Christ to  “come and see”(Jn 1:39) and who have committed our lives to mission in response to the call to  “go make disciples of all nations….” (Mt 28:19).

We live out this missionary calling in the various situations we find ourselves in across the globe.  We act as leaven of God’s Kingdom and share the message of Jesus especially to the marginalized, the poor and oppressed of society.  We witness to the reconciling power of the Good News by the faithful dedication of our lives to love and service.

We carry out the missionary mandate by sharing our gifts and talents, either as clerics or lay, in a life-long commitment as perpetual members of the Missionary Society and also in a particular length of commitment as Associate members.

St. Joseph’s Missionary Society is a Society of Apostolic Life and Pontifical Right.  This means that members do not take religious vows but commit themselves to the Society by taking an oath.   Through this Missionary Oath, members dedicate themselves for life; to be available for the work of the Society and its mission.

Our principal Patron is St. Joseph. He is a model of apostolic obedience responding generously through steady quiet work in challenging faith situations, constantly on the move, and close to Jesus our Saviour and to Mary, his Mother.

We strive to become like Christ in our missionary tasks through our apostolic zeal, our prayer, our faithful dedication to given tasks, our readiness for steady and hard work.  We commit ourselves to live in chastity and celibacy for the sake of God’s kingdom, observing our Society’s Code of Conduct.  United with a common mission, we come together, living and supporting each other as a community of faith and love around the Eucharist and through a life of prayer, both personal and common.

Members come from all walks of life and from various countries.  Previously they were recruited from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Tyrol and the U.S.A. but more recently Africans from Congo, Uganda and Kenya, and Asians from India and the Philippines have joined the rank of membership.

Those wishing to become members are given proper formation and training.  Formation takes place in a few centres in Africa, India and the Philippines. 

Members are sent to work within the context of the local church and culture to countries where we have traditionally worked but are also ready to respond boldly to new initiatives and face unfamiliar challenges.

Members are more popularly known as Mill Hill Missionaries because of the origin of the Society at Mill Hill, London.

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