Box of Joy is an annual Christmas gift ministry organized by local Catholic schools, parishes and groups across the United States and facilitated by Cross Catholic Outreach. Box of Joy provides teachers, parish leaders and other Catholic groups with a unique opportunity for students, parishioners and group members to participate in a simple and tangible service experience that has both a material and spiritual impact on the poorest of the poor in developing countries. Together, Catholics in the U.S. are able to join Our Lord Jesus Christ in acts of mercy. The ministry also provides a unique opportunity for Catholics to engage in service with others in their local communities who share the same desire to spread Christmas joy and the story of Christmas — the Good News of God’s love — with children worldwide.

We mobilize the global Catholic Church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ. Learn more about our ministry.

Unfortunately, it is not possible for you to select the destination country for your Boxes of Joy.  However, you can select the gender and age range of the children you want to bless.

We know that many parishes and Catholic schools have existing ministry partnerships with excellent missions and missionaries in various countries.  However, Cross Catholic Outreach already has an extensive network of trusted Catholic ministry partners in over 44 countries, and we work in long-term partnership with them. 

Most groups implement the Box of Joy ministry during the months of October and early November, but you can do it any time of year.  If you want to participate “off season,” send an email to boxofjoy@crosscatholic.org providing the dates that you would like participate.  We will contact you to discuss details and send your supplies at the appropriate time.