By Father Soney Sebastian, SVD
World Mission Sunday 2026 holds a unique place in the life of the Church as Catholics around the world celebrate the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, a global observance established by Pope Pius XI in 1926 at the request of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
For a century, this annual celebration has united the faithful in prayer, sacrifice and generosity for the Church’s missionary work, especially in areas where the Gospel is newly proclaimed and local Churches are still growing. This year, we shall celebrate it on the weekend of Oct. 17-18.
The theme chosen by Pope Leo XIV for this centennial celebration is “One in Christ, United in Mission.” In his message for the 100th World Mission Day, the Holy Father invites the Church to continue its missionary journey with renewed joy and zeal, emphasizing that authentic mission flows from our union with Christ and our communion with one another.
Pope Leo reminds us that the Church’s missionary vocation is not the responsibility of a few, but the calling of every baptized believer who shares in the Church’s mission of evangelization.
Reflecting on the Gospel prayer of Jesus “that they may
Read more...
