Propagation of the Faith, Associations for

Propagation of the Faith, Associations For, ROMAN CATHOLIC. The earliest and the highest in dignity of these has been already described under the head PROPAGANDA SEE PROPAGANDA (q.v.); but the present century has produced several private associations, the resources of which arise entirely from voluntary annual contributions, and the organization of which is most complete and most extensive. The first of these is that founded at Lyons in 1822, under the title "OEuvre de la Propagation de la Foi," with a branch at Paris, and subordinate branches in the other Catholic kingdoms. It is under the direction of a council, which communicates as well with the local associations through which the funds are supplied by small weekly, monthly, or yearly contributions, as with the missions to the aid of which the fund so raised is applied, by an apportionment regulated according to the necessities of each. The piety of contributors is stimulated by the exhortations of the popes, and the granting of indulgences to those who, with the other requisite dispositions, shall aid in the work. The journal of the society, entitled Annales de la Propagation de lat Foi, is a very interesting bimonthly collection of letters and reports from the different missions connected with the central body. The receipts of this association for the year 1863 were 4,788,496 fr. 86 c. Of this sum, by far the largest proportion was raised in France-3,307,248 fr. Italy came next, though at a long interval, contributing 420,653 fr.; Belgium gave 271,597 fr.; Germany, 251,873 fr.; the British islands, 127,000 fr. Spain, once the great propagator of the Gospel in the New World, contributed but 12,549 fr.; but it is to be observed that Spain maintains for her own missionary enterprises a large and liberal establishment in connection with the mission of the Philippines and the South Sea. Another association of somewhat later date is the "Leopoldiner Verein," established at Vienna in 1829, the chief object of which is to assist the missions of German origin, especially in America.

This association also has its own journal, entitled Berichte der Leopoldiner Stiftung. It is under the presidency of the archbishop of Vienna. A third is that established in Bavaria as an offshoot of the Lyons association, under the name "Ludwigs Missions-Verein." Like that of Vienna, its chief; although not exclusive, object is the support of German missions. The Ludwigs Verein is conducted under the auspices of the archbishop of Munich. All these associations, although quite independent in their management and direction, nevertheless maintain close relations with the Propagandla of Rome, and are often guided by the recommendations of the cardinal prefect in the distribution of their funds to particular missions.