The Pontifical Society of Missionary Childhood was officially inaugurated at Mary Land parish in the Diocese of Pathein during a special Mass held on Sunday, November 9, 2025.

The Eucharistic celebration, which gathered 141 children for the 7:00 am service, was presided over by Fr. Cyril Win Mg, the diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Society. He was concelebrated by the parish priest, Fr. Raymond Htun Kyi, assistant priest Fr. Sylvester Eden Oo, and Fr. Francis Min Min Htun, the diocesan youth director.

The homily, delivered by Fr. Francis Min Min Htun, connected the day’s Feast of the St. John Lateran Basilica to the personal calling of each child. He reflected on the Gospel of Jesus cleansing the Temple, urging the young congregants to see themselves as “Temples of the Holy Spirit.”

“We need to cleanse our hearts for God’s dwelling,” Fr. Francis stated. “We have to imitate Jesus to serve and love the poor, the needy, and the sick… we, the temple of God, must show love and concern to the suffering people.”

Following the homily, Parish Priest Fr. Raymond Htun Kyi addressed the children directly, calling them “missionaries for God” and emphasizing the importance of discipline and obedience. He encouraged them to be open to future vocations as Priests, Brothers, or Sisters, while also advising those who may marry to do so “orderly” and with their parents’ blessing.

The formal establishment of the new society took place after Mass. Fr. Cyril Win Mg provided a history of the Pontifical Society of Missionary Childhood, explaining that it was founded in the 19th century by Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson in France. He recounted how the bishop initially asked twelve children to help missions in China through daily prayer, small sacrifices, and offering a penny.

Fr. Cyril outlined the four key objectives of the society: to foster a missionary spirit in children, to encourage prayer and sacrifice for missions, to share faith and means with children in need, and to promote vocations for mission work.

In his concluding remarks, Fr. Cyril encouraged all children to lead simple and holy lives. “Children are future leaders,” he said. “We have to teach our children to be good. When the children are good, the elders will be good. So let us try to pray for our new generation to be good missionaries.”

The establishment of the society marks a dedicated effort by the diocese to involve its youngest members in the global missionary work of the Catholic Church.

By RVA Pwo Karen Service