World Mission Sunday

"Missionaries of Hope Among the People."

World Mission Sunday, which is celebrated this year on October 19, 2025, is a day dedicated to the support of the missionary work of the Church. Established by Pope XI in 1926, it is an opportunity for every Catholic church community around the world to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters living in mission territories. Through prayer and sacrificial giving, the day offers each of us an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the Church among the poor and marginalized in more than 1,100 mission dioceses.

The theme of World Mission Sunday for 2025, "Missionaries of Hope Among the People," was chosen by Pope Francis earlier this year. In his message for the day, he wrote, "May we feel inspired to set out in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus to become, with him and in him, signs and messengers of hope for all, in every place and circumstance that God has granted us to live. May all the baptized, as missionary disciples of Christ, make his hope shine forth in every corner of the earth!” – Message of Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2025

A Missionary Pope

Our current pope, Pope Leo XIV, is well familiar with importance of mission work. As an Augustinian priest, he served in Chulucanas, Peru, and later in the mission in Trujillo, Peru. He then served as a missionary bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.

"There are many missionary men and women, but also believers and people of good will, who work in the service of migrants, and promote a new culture of fraternity on the theme of migration, beyond stereotypes and prejudices. But this precious service involves each one of us, within the limits of our own means," Pope Leo said in celebrating the Jubilee of the Missionary World and the Jubilee of Migrants.

"Mission is not so much about 'departing,' but instead 'remaining' in order to proclaim Christ through hospitality and welcome, compassion and solidarity. We are to remain, without fleeing to the comforts of our individualism; to remain so as to look upon those who arrive from lands that are distant and violent; to remain and open our arms and hearts to them, welcoming them as brothers and sisters, and being for them a presence of consolation and hope."

World Mission Sunday Collection

On World Mission Sunday, a collection is held in churches in support of mission work. The collection helps to build up local churches in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands.

Every year, the needs of the Catholic Church in the missions grow, as new dioceses are formed, new seminaries are opened, and as war, natural disasters, or illnesses ravage communities. For new, young or poor dioceses, the collection from World Mission Sunday is essential on their journey to becoming self-sufficient.

\The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States work through local bishops, churches, and missionary congregations to ensure that resources are distributed equitably and justly.