What is the Propaganda?—The Propaganda in the Days of St.
Peter—St. Paul the First “Prefect”—The Propaganda as carried
on afterwards by the Popes—Resources for this work supplied
even in the ages of Persecution—Testimony of Monsignor
Dupanloup—Conversions in the days of Constantine aided by
the Popes—Palladius and St. Patrick sent by Popes to Ireland
and Britain—Missions Organized by St. Leo the Great—St.
Valentinus and St. Severinus—St. Gregory the Great and the
Conversion of the Angles—Consequences—Conversions wrought by
Irish Missionary Saints and by Saints from Britain, always
authorized, directed and assisted by the Popes—Sts. Cyril and
Methodius—Pope Sylvester II. and the Hungarians—Conversion of
Northern Europe the direct work of the Popes—New Missionary
Fields opened by the Discoveries of Columbus and Vasco di Gama
assiduously cultivated by the Popes—Increase of Missionary Zeal
on their part consequent on the Apostasy of many Nations at the
Reformation—The Works of Gregory XIII.—Necessity for Organized
Assistance causes the Formation of the Sacred Congregation of
the Propaganda under Gregory XV.—The Bull of Formation—Powers
and Duties of the Propaganda—The _Appunti_ commenting
thereupon—Its Staff.