Welcome from Fr. Finch

An invitation from our Superior General Fr. Ray Finch

Greetings! 

We want to serve you in creating a culture of mission in your diocese. 

The founding of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers was sponsored by the American Hierarchy. At the annual meeting of the Archbishops of the United States held in April of 1911, the resolution on the founding of an American Mission Seminary was passed unanimously. They said: “We heartily approve the establishment of an American Seminary for the Foreign Missions as outlined in the letter sent by His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons to the Archbishops.” Subsequently, on June 29, 1911, Pope Pius X gave his blessings for the formation of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. 

Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, envisions the Church as communities of missionary disciples who go forth in joy to share the Good News. He challenges us to cross all borders, situational and geographic. While the seeds of mission are planted in the soul and are nourished in the family and local communities, the Spirit moves in ever widening circles to renew the face of the earth. 

From the beginning Maryknoll’s mission education efforts in the Catholic Church in the U.S. have engaged Catholics in an ever broadening understanding of mission and global solidarity. Going forth and coming back to share the stories of Maryknoll’s ministries overseas has enriched not only the local ministry of the Church in the U.S., but helped contextualize it in the global reality and built bonds of solidarity across borders. Drawing on its rich history and current ministries around the earth, Maryknoll remains committed to being of service to the local church in fostering communities of missionary disciples in the Catholic Church in the U.S. 

Yours in God’s mission, 

Fr. Ray Finch, MM

Superior General