Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, was founded in Caen (France) in 1889, by Ms. Jeanne Bigard and her mother, Stephanie. The main mission of the foundation is to provide spiritual and economic support to seminaries and religious formation houses in missionary territories. The Society currently offers support to 83,767 seminarians who study in 962 seminaries in mission territory. They also support novices from various religious congregations in their formation.
In particular, the Society maintains: in Africa, 17,110 major seminarians and 213 seminaries; 34,992 minor seminarians and 266 minor seminaries. In Asia, 9,942 major seminarians and 126 seminaries; 14,915 minor seminarians and 200 minor seminaries. In America, 4,418 major seminarians and 90 seminaries; 1,307 minor seminarians and 41 minor seminaries. In Oceania, 441 major seminarians and 12 seminaries; 282 minor seminarians and 6 minor seminaries. In Europe, 193 major seminarians and 4 seminaries, 167 minor seminarians and 4 minor seminaries.
The Universal Solidarity Fund of the Society is maintained by the collections from the faithful all around the world, through the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies, in order to support the native vocations among the younger Churches that are continuously increasing in number. A large part of the Fund is set apart for “extraordinary grants” for building new seminaries, general maintenance, additions and renovations of structures (as some seminaries were built over 50 years ago), and the formation of the professors. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 11/4/2008; righe 21, parole 247)
