Main Stream: Missionaries

The charism of the Missionaries of the Poor is to live in “Joyful Service with Christ on the Cross,” dedicating their lives to serving the poorest of the poor through both spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Members — brothers and priests — take four vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and free service to the least of society, embracing a communal life of prayer, simplicity, and sharing all things in common. Their apostolate includes caring for the homeless, the sick, orphans, the elderly, and those abandoned, providing food, shelter, spiritual care, and companionship while witnessing Christ’s love through compassionate presence, outreach, devotion, and daily service.

The Missionaries of the Poor were founded on 19 July 1981 in Kingston, Jamaica, by Father Richard Ho Lung as a religious institute committed to serving the poorest and most marginalized people. Originally called the Brothers of the Poor, they expanded rapidly as their ministry gained recognition for its deep commitment to the suffering and vulnerable. Over decades, M.O.P. received ecclesiastical approval and grew into an Institute of Pontifical Right, with hundreds of members from multiple countries forming communities dedicated to hands‑on care and evangelization.

Missionaries of the Poor – Main Office (Kingston, Jamaica) Address: P.O. Box 8525, 3 North Street, Kingston, Jamaica Email: mopmedia@missionariesofthepoor.org (general ministry contact; can forward to vocation team) Missionaries of the Poor – Kampala, Uganda Email: mopkampala@yahoo.com (regional contact relevant to East Africa vocations)