The Peter’s Pence collection, as a donation to the Successor of Peter, took on a stable form in the seventh century, with the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons, in connection with the feast of the Apostle Saint Peter, to whom Jesus entrusted His Church. It then grew during subsequent centuries, with the adherence of other European peoples to Christianity, always as a contribution of gratitude and devotion to the Pope, as an expression of the unity of the Church, and of ecclesial co-responsibility. Today, the proceeds of Peter’s Pence Collection are primarily used to help victims of disasters and the Pope’s charitable programs to help the poor, the homeless, and those in need.
According to Gospel. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:34-40). Jesus emphasizing love as the primary goal and highest virtue in Christian life. We are accountable for our souls and others before God who commanded us to be brothers and sisters to each other in every need. We are obliged to reach out to help others as we can either physical or spiritual. Through our generous help, and continued prayer, we can be a hope for hopeless. May Chris’s Precious Blood poured out to all those who are desperate in everywhere because Jesus shed his Blood as a prize for all humanity. Let us resonate with our Lord’s Sacred heart to comfort the needy, sorrowful, desperate, and suffering with any kind of illness.
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“Pope of Missions,” Pope Pius XI taught that our priority has to be spreading Christ’s message and evangelizing through our active works of charity and solidarity with the Church. One of his encyclicals emphasize his magnanimous heart on missions: “Since no one can be thought so poor and naked, no one so infirm or hungry, as he who is deprived of the knowledge and grace of God, so there is no one who cannot understand that both the mercy and the rewards of God shall be given to him who, on his part, shows mercy to the neediest of his fellow-beings” (Rerum Ecclesiae,14). The Holy Father reminds us of the need for collaboration to alleviate sufferings and restore wounded hearts. We are bound to each other through Christ, who is the Savior of every human being and Creator of the universe. God awaits the good deeds of His children, especially love and trust which does lots of good to those whom we encounter every day.
To help the Pope, countries around the world organized financial support for the Holy See and revived the Peter’s Pence Collection. God delighted to His children who show mercy to their fellow men even if we do the smallest deeds of kindness towards the needy, homeless, orphans, widows, and poor. Your gifts and prayers will be a great blessing for the poorest of the poor who benefit from this outreach of funds. Trust in God’s promises and know that no gift will go unrewarded! Remember, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
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The collection has both a symbolic and a practical value to it. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God (CCC 1822)”. In other words, the love of neighbor is inseparable from the love of God. It can be compared to both side of a coin. As we know, God is the author of life and He is residing in our soul. He asks us to listen the cry of others. When we extend our hands and heart to the needy then we wipe the tears of many who endure hardships in life. The missionary spirit makes a difference in their lives by accomplishing evangelization, discipleship, building a church, housing and many other activities for the needy.
As charity unites us with God and with our brothers and sisters throughout the world. Let us echo in our mind and hearts with Pope Leo XIV, “Christ is our Unity, and Mission Is Our Call.” God awaits the good deeds of His children, especially love and trust which does lots of good to those whom we encounter every day. Let us be generous in our contribution!
I would like to thank you on behalf of our Most Rev. Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, for your generous help to Pope’s charitable fund.
A LETTER FROM BISHOP EARL K. FERNANDES
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has designated one weekend a year as the Holy Father’s Collection, commonly called “Peter’s Pence.” This annual collection, in support of the Holy Father’s charitable work, is held in parishes worldwide. This year in the Diocese of Columbus, the Peter’s Pence Collection is on the weekend of June 20- 21.
The Peter’s Pence collection is a gesture of solidarity through which every member of the faithful can participate in the activity of the Pope as Pastor of the universal Church. The faithful’s offerings to the Holy Father through the Peter’s Pence Collection are destined to Church needs, to humanitarian initiatives and social promotion projects, as well as to the support of the Holy See.
At the USCCB meeting in November 2025, Cardinal Christophe Pierre spoke to the assembly of the bishops of the importance of this collection. It is not merely a collection to help support specific initiatives or “pet projects” of the Holy Father; rather, it is direct support of the Holy Father (and the Vatican offices) as he exercises his Petrine ministry.
While the people of the United States have always been generous, there is a greater need for us, who have been blessed, to share the blessings so that the Holy Father may proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth and so that the Vatican Offices may operate smoothly. With a Pope hailing from our country, I believe we have a special duty to show our support and fidelity through renewed generosity.
We are called to unity with one another as the Body of Christ united in prayer and fraternity with the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. This is an annual collection to the Holy Father as a sign of unity with his mission to preach the Gospel and aid those most in need.
From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has called upon Catholics to live in peace and unity with one another, both within and outside the Church. Let us respond generously to this invitation to peace and unity.
Grateful to you for your continued generosity and support, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes
Bishop of Columbus
