The liturgical cycle frequently presents the parables of the Kingdom as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 13, verses 31-35, the narrative focuses on two distinct yet complementary images: the mustard seed and the leaven. These metaphors provide a theological framework for understanding how the Church expands across the globe. For the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, these scriptural foundations serve as more than mere illustrations; they describe the historical reality and the continuing mission of forming local clergy in mission territories.
Historical Context: The Smallest of Seeds
The origins of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle mirror the very mustard seed described by Jesus. In 1889, in the city of Caen, France, two laywomen: Jeanne Bigard and her mother, Stéphanie Bigard: responded to a request for assistance from Bishop Jules-Alphonse Aimard of Nagasaki, Japan. The bishop sought financial support to train local men for the priesthood, noting that indigenous clergy were essential for the long-term stability of the Church in Japan.
At its inception, this initiative was a modest endeavor. The Bigards lived a life of simplicity, dedicating their personal resources and energy to what seemed, at the time, a localized and specific need. However, this "small seed" of faith and administrative support was planted in fertile ground. By focusing on the indigenous clergy: those born and raised within the mission territories: the Bigards recognized a fundamental principle of the Kingdom: growth is most sustainable when it comes from within the local community.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed: Expanding Shelter
Matthew 13:31-32 states: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches."
In the context of global evangelization, the "mustard seed" represents the first seminarians and the initial structures of a local Church. When the Society of St. Peter the Apostle provides ordinary subsidies for the daily needs of seminarians, it is nurturing these seeds. These men, often from humble backgrounds in developing nations, represent the "smallest of seeds." Yet, through rigorous spiritual and academic formation, they grow into the "large bush" of the local pastorate.
The "birds of the sky" mentioned in the Gospel can be understood as the faithful and the wider community who find "shelter" in the ministry of these priests. A local priest understands the language, culture, and social nuances of his people in a way that a foreign missionary may not. By supporting the growth of these local leaders, the Society ensures that the Church becomes a permanent fixture of the landscape: a place of refuge, sacraments, and moral guidance for generations to come.
The Parable of the Yeast: Internal Transformation
The second image provided in the Gospel text is found in Matthew 13:33: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened."
While the mustard seed describes visible, external growth, the yeast (or leaven) describes a hidden, internal transformation. This is a precise description of how the Society of St. Peter the Apostle operates. The financial assistance provided: whether through Mass intentions for seminary formators or extraordinary subsidies for the construction and renovation of seminaries: often remains hidden from the public eye. It is the "yeast" mixed into the "dough" of a local diocese.
The impact of a well-formed local priest or religious sister is pervasive. They act as the leaven within their societies, working quietly to transform the culture through the values of the Gospel. This transformation is not immediate; it requires the "kneading" of years of education and the "rising" time of spiritual maturation. The Society’s commitment to providing scholarships for future seminary educators ensures that this leavening process remains consistent and high in quality, ensuring that the entire "batch" of the local community is influenced by the message of Christ.
The Role of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. Its primary USP (Unique Selling Proposition) remains its specific dedication to developing indigenous clergy. Since its founding over 130 years ago, the organization has moved from a private initiative to a global pontifical work, directly overseen by the Holy See.
Current operations focus on several key pillars of support:
- Formation of Local Clergy: Providing the necessary funds for the education of thousands of seminarians across Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America.
- Support for Religious Life: Funding the formation of novices and religious sisters who serve as essential pillars of education and healthcare in mission lands.
- Infrastructure Development: Allocating extraordinary subsidies for the building of new seminaries and the maintenance of existing ones to accommodate the growing number of vocations.
- Self-Sustainability Projects: Investing in agricultural or small-business projects within seminaries to help local dioceses become less dependent on foreign aid over time.
This structured approach reflects the "ordered growth" of the Kingdom. It is not enough to plant a seed; the plant must be tended, watered, and protected. By working directly with local bishops and Christian communities, the Society ensures that the Church in mission territories moves toward a state of mature self-governance.
Fulfilling the Prophetic Word
The Gospel passage concludes with a reference to the prophetic nature of Jesus' teaching: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 13:35).
The growth of the Church in what were once considered "mission lands" is a fulfillment of this mystery. In many parts of the world today, the regions that once received missionaries are now the ones producing the most vocations. This reversal is a testament to the efficacy of the "mustard seed" strategy employed by the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. The hidden work of donors and the quiet dedication of seminarians in remote villages are part of the divine plan to make the Kingdom of Heaven visible to all nations.
Practical Participation in the Mission
The work of the Society is made possible through the collaboration of Catholic individuals, parishes, and communities worldwide. Participation in this mission is an act of planting seeds for a future one may never see, but which God promises will flourish.
Those interested in supporting this work may do so through various means:
- Financial Contributions: Donations are directed toward the General Solidarity Fund, which is distributed annually to seminaries based on their most urgent needs.
- Mass Intentions: Providing stipends for Masses to be celebrated by priests in mission territories, which in turn supports their daily living and the formation of their students.
- Educational Advocacy: Parishes and schools can utilize the history and mission of the Society to educate others about the importance of indigenous leadership in the global Church.
For further information regarding the work of the Society or to learn more about the legacy of Jeanne Bigard, interested parties may visit the official website of The Pontifical Mission Societies.
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle
Website: https://pontificalmissions.org/who-we-are/the-society-of-st.-peter-the-apostle
Headquarters: 70 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018
The reflection on Matthew 13:31-35 serves as a reminder that no contribution is too small and no beginning is too humble when it is placed in the hands of God. Like the mustard seed and the yeast, the support given to local clergy today becomes the vast and sheltering Church of tomorrow.