The "Missionary Jubilees" of 2026 at the center of the annual meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Poland

The National Direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Poland is already looking ahead to 2026, when several “Missionary Jubilees” will be celebrated. 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of World Mission Sunday, the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Missionary Union—initiated by Blessed Paolo Manna—and the 200th anniversary of the creation of the Living Rosary Association, in 1826 by Blessed Pauline Jaricot and foundress of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith. At the traditional autumn meeting, an opportunity to reflect on the journey and pray for the commitments of the coming year, Father Maciej Będziński, director of the PMS in Poland, encouraged those present to share experiences with a spirit of unity. “Let us act and cooperate for the one Church, remaining in prayer, as Pope Francis exhorted us in his message for this year's World Mission Sunday: 'Let us not forget that prayer is the first missionary action and, at the same time, the first force of hope,'” Father Będziński emphasized.
The centenary of World Mission Sunday, the 110th anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union, and the 200th anniversary of the Living Rosary Association were the focus of the first day of work. The importance of celebrating these three anniversaries and updating their meaning was the topic of shared reflection among the participants, including the diocesan directors of the PMS, religious representatives, and lay missionary animators.
Some new developments were also presented during the annual reports of each Pontifical Society. The Pontifical Missionary Union of Poland announced the creation of a Missionary Academy and invited everyone to participate in a symposium scheduled for November in Jasna Góra. The Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle confirmed its commitment to continuing the AdoMis project (distance adoption of seminarians in mission lands), initiated in 2013, with a special focus on seminaries in Cameroon, Madagascar, and India. The Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Pontifical Society of Holy Childhood presented their formation initiatives and projects for the Jubilees.
Father Luca Bovio, IMC, the first national director of the Pontifical Missionary Societies in Ukraine and for over ten years national secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union in Poland, presided over the Mass on the first day. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of founding the PMS in a war-torn country and expressed his gratitude for the years of service provided in Poland.
On the closing day, Bishop Jan Piotrowski, president of the Commission for Missions of the Polish Bishops' Conference, recalled the value of the Living Rosary Movement, which has more than two million members in Poland, urging everyone to recognize and value the missionary dimension of this form of prayer, inviting more people to join in praying the Rosary to form a truly "living "crown".