The Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, established to cultivate a spirit of mission among children and to involve them actively in the work of evangelization. It is a vibrant organization that empowers children worldwide to live their faith by supporting other children spiritually, socially, and materially, fostering a sense of global solidarity within the Catholic Church.

Origins and Founder

The MCA was founded in 1843 by Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson in France. Deeply moved by the plight of children in developing nations, particularly in China, Bishop de Forbin-Janson envisioned an organization where children would play an active role in supporting their peers. His vision was encapsulated in the motto: “Children helping children.”

Initially known as the Holy Childhood Association (HCA), the MCA focused on inspiring children to pray for and offer financial support to missionary activities. Over the years, it evolved into a global initiative, engaging children in mission work and fostering their spiritual growth.

The Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) was officially launched in Botswana in 1998. This marked a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in the country, as it sought to integrate children into its mission of evangelization and to nurture a missionary spirit among the youth.

The MCA’s introduction in Botswana came under the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which recognized the need to involve children in missionary activities and to instill values of faith, solidarity, and service. Since its inception, the MCA in Botswana has played an essential role in shaping young Catholics into active participants in the Church’s mission.

It has achieved this through prayer groups, outreach initiatives, and educational programs that encourage children to support their peers in need, both locally and globally. The MCA in Botswana also aligns with the universal mandate of the association, ensuring that children grow spiritually while contributing meaningfully to the Church’s mission of evangelization.

The Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) was officially launched in the Diocese of Gaborone in 2002 by the then Bishop Boniface Tshosa Setlalekgosi, who was the shepherd of the diocese at the time. Under his leadership, the diocese embraced the MCA as a vital tool for evangelization and the spiritual formation of children.

Bishop Setlalekgosi, known for his commitment to youth and missionary work, recognized the importance of engaging children in the Church’s mission. Through his vision, the MCA was introduced to inspire young Catholics to pray for, support, and learn about the missions, fostering a deep sense of solidarity and a global missionary spirit.

The launch was also supported by the Pontifical Mission Societies office in Botswana, which provided resources and guidance for the effective establishment and growth of the MCA in the Diocese of Gaborone. This collaboration ensured that the MCA’s objectives were aligned with the Church’s broader mission to form young disciples who contribute meaningfully to evangelization.

It was then on the 9th March 2024, was relaunched and innaugarated by His Grace Archbishop Frank Atese Nubuasah the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gaborone. The Diocese of Gaborone for the first time witnessed the ever growth of the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) with close to two thousand five hundred attendees of the age 3 – 13 years from across the Diocese at the inaugural mass in Christ The King Cathedral. It was a fun-filled for the young ones during as they had an experienced they never had. The new and first Diocesan Spiritual Director is Rev. Fr Ketshepileone Puoeng being assisted by different chaplains of the different Deaniries in the Diocese.