Clerical Congregation of the Missionaries of Faith (MF)
The seeds of the congregation were sown in the early 1970s as the Pious Union of the Missionaries of Faith, which was erected by the Bishop of Cortona (Arezzo) on 27 December 1973. The initial mission was to assist priests and religious, as well as reach out to those separated from the Church or of other faiths, leading them toward the evangelical life. On 25 December 1982, Cardinal Joseph Siri, Archbishop of Genoa, elevated the Pious Union into a Clerical Religious Congregation of Diocesan Right under the name Congregation of Missionaries of Faith (M.F.), granting it full canonical recognition and rights. The congregation’s General House was first located in Creto, in the Archdiocese of Genoa, and was later transferred to Rome on 15 April 1988. In a significant development, on 1 November 2024 (the Feast of All Saints), Pope Francis granted the congregation a Decretum Laudis, elevating it to an Institute of Pontifical Right.
Patron/ess
The Most Holy Trinity is the titular of the Institute: the Father as sign of eternal bounty, the Son as example of life and the Holy Spirit as the source of holiness and the source of every mission. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the principal patroness of our Congregation, invoked with the title of Mary Queen of confessors of faith”. She, the handmaid of the first Priest, Jesus Christ, is the model of life of the Missionaries of Faith and mother, sister and friend. Other patrons are: St. Michael the Archangel, the Guardian Angels (defenders against the enemy), St. Joseph (guardian of the Redeemer, husband of Mary, unique custodian of the mystery of God, a just man, a man of work, of silence, faithful executor of the commands of God, an exceptional teacher in the faith and in serving the salvific mission of Jesus), St. Peter (a man of solid faith, the foundation stone of
the Church) and the Apostles, St. Paul, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the holy
Founders.
Founders and Charism
The movement was initiated through the inspiration of Miss Anna Maria Andreani, who, as a young Carmelite tertiary (professing vows in 1964 under the name “Magdalene of the Divine Martyr”), felt drawn to assist priests in crisis through a deep, fraternal communal life. She collaborated closely with Fr. Luigi Duilio Graziotti, a former Dehonian priest, in establishing the community. The congregation’s motto, “Gratia et Gaudium in Fide” (“Grace and Joy in Faith”), beautifully encapsulates its spirituality and mission. The spiritual orientation centers on life in the Most Holy Trinity, animated by the Holy Spirit, and moving the members toward holiness in Christ.
Apostolic Mission and Activities
The MF congregation embraces a diverse apostolic outreach, including: • Support for priests and religious: Offering spiritual and communal support, aiding those in crisis, and promoting sanctity and faithful obedience within their vocation. • Evangelization efforts: Engaging with separated brethren and adherents of other religions to guide them toward Catholic doctrine and authentic Christian life. • Catechesis and reconciliation: Proclaiming the Gospel, teaching Christian virtues, explaining doctrine, fostering reconciliation, and nurturing vocations among youth.
Global Presence & Mission Fields
The “Pious Union of the Missionaries of Faith”, erected by the Bishop of Cortona
(Arezzo) on 27 December 1973, right away began to spread into several Italian
dioceses: Fabriano, Casale Monferrato, Savona, Sora and Genoa. Once it was
erected as a Clerical Religious Congregation of Diocesan Right, on 25 December
1982 it began to spread in various other parts of Italy. In October 1989 the
Congregation started its first house outside of Italy, in India, in the Diocese of Eluru,
Andhra Pradesh. Then the Congregation began to spread various other countries. From its Italian roots, the MF congregation has expanded globally, establishing provinces and vice-provinces across continents:
• Italy (Vice-Province)
• India: St. Paul Province (Kerala) and St. Peter Province (Andhra Pradesh) 
• Myanmar: Vice-Province with communities in Loikaw and Myitkyina dioceses  
• Vietnam: Province active in Binh Duong 
• Philippines, Oceania (e.g., New Zealand), United States, Canada, Venezuela, Central America, Samoa, etc. Noteworthy Milestone: First Bishop from MF On 12 January 2025, the congregation celebrated a landmark moment when Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam, MF, was ordained as the first-ever bishop from the congregation. Appointed by Pope Francis on 29 October 2024, he became the Bishop of Myitkyina (Myanmar). His episcopal motto is “Quaerite primum regnum iustitiae” (“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”). As of now, the congregation counts around 230 priests worldwide, including 26 from Myanmar. Year and Event 27 Dec 1973: Erection as Pious Union of the Missionaries of Faith 25 Dec 1982: Elevated to Religious Congregation of Diocesan Right (Card. Siri) 15 Apr 1988: General House moved to Rome 1 Nov 2024: Elevated to Pontifical Right (Decretum Laudis by Pope Francis) 29 Oct 2024: Appointment of Msgr. John La Sam as Bishop of Myitkyina 12 Jan 2025: Bishop John La Sam ordained—the first MF bishop The congregation dedicates itself to:
• Supporting priests and religious, especially in times of crisis.
• Promoting evangelization among Catholics who have drifted away, as well as reaching out to those of other religions.
• Teaching and catechesis, transmitting the faith with clarity and joy.
• Encouraging reconciliation, both with God and within the Christian community.
• Forming vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Apostolic Work and Global Presence
From its Italian beginnings, the Missionaries of Faith have spread across continents. Today, the congregation serves in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, with provinces, vice-provinces, and mission houses in countries such as Italy, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Austria, the United States, Canada, Venezuela, and Central America.
In these mission fields, their work is expressed through:
• Parish ministry and pastoral care, especially in areas where priests are few.
• Education and catechesis of children and youth, keeping alive the flame of faith for future generations.
• Formation of seminarians and priests, preparing future missionaries for the service of the Church.
• Missionary outreach, bringing the Gospel to places where the faith is fragile or threatened.