Missionaries in the world’s youngest Church are making sure everyone’s invited to experience God’s love.
In winter, the temperature in Mongolia can drop to as low as -40*C. This severe and unforgiving environment affects thousands of people without shelter – especially the most vulnerable people in society. For those who face homelessness, the need to find shelter from the elements is often a matter of life and death.
A mission of mercy
Though many families depend on subsidies from the government to support their children, Mongolia’s economy is fragile and not everyone can get the help they need. That’s why missionaries are working alongside communities to provide spiritual support and social services to thousands of struggling people.
One of the projects supported by the global Missio network is the House of Mercy in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city. This visionary project, conceived by Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, aims to consolidate various social services under one roof.
Everyone’s invited
The House of Mercy welcomes people of all faiths and none. It’s a safe place for people who are struggling. Here, missionaries and local volunteers work together to run a soup kitchen for those in need of a hot meal, as well as a first aid clinic.
The Centre also provides accommodation for emergency and crisis situations, supporting adults and children fleeing domestic violence, who may require social workers to provide guidance and support. In addition to this, there are opportunities to receive skills training and help with studies which provide better prospects for employment.
The House of Mercy aims to be the helping hand that lifts people up and prepares them to build a brighter future. Through the loving care provided, the Church in Mongolia is inviting everyone to experience God’s love. But it takes compassion and action from people like you to continue this incredible mission and reach out to more people in need.
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A vital connection
With the goal to help people get back on their feet, project manager Brother Andrew says that while providing essentials like nutritious meals, beds for rest and basic medical care is important, it’s not the whole purpose of the House of Mercy. He shared:
‘We try to be open to everybody, based on capacity and based on the needs of the people… We try to reconnect them again; we try to bring them back to society, especially the old people, the children and the women victims of domestic violence. We try to help people who are alcoholics, to give them the strength to help them to recover from being enslaved to alcohol so that they are able to go back to society.’
Not just a house, but a home
Through its ethos of meeting people where they are, and striving to provide whatever care and help is most needed for each individual, the House of Mercy is a tangible expression of the Church’s care for others.
On the final day of his Apostolic Journey in Mongolia in 2023, Pope Francis visited and blessed the House of Mercy. He acknowledged that the missionary effort on the ground is a practical and concrete demonstration of Christ’s saving love:
‘This House of Mercy is meant to be the point of reference for a variety of charitable works, hands outstretched towards our brothers and sisters struggling to navigate life’s problems. A safe haven, in other words, where people can find a listening ear and an understanding heart.’
Building a Church from scratch
With your help, Missio has been supporting missionaries and the Church in Mongolia since the very beginning. Later to become the first Bishop of Mongolia, Fr ‘Wens’ Padilla left his home in the Philippines in 1992 to bring the message of Jesus to Mongolian communities.
As well as supporting the training of the first Mongolian Priest, Missio has helped the Pastoral Office translate Church texts into the local language and continues to support the training of lay catechists.
Additionally, education, healthcare, and spiritual formation are all supported through the Missio network – reaching out to those most in need and inviting everyone to know the love of God.
Join us!
This World Mission Sunday, we ask you to join us, so that together we can extend God’s loving invitation to every person. Your prayers and support on World Mission Sunday enable new, young or poor communities to grow and to become self-sufficient. Most importantly, they enable these communities to join together to celebrate the Sacraments, to hear God’s Word, to support each other, and to unite in prayer with one another and with us – their global family.
Will you help us invite everyone to the banquet of God’s love?
- Click here to donate to our World Mission Sunday Appeal>>
- Click here to find out more about World Mission Sunday>>
- Click here to find prayers, resources and more to celebrate this World Mission Sunday with your parish community>>