World Mission Day

Towards the Growth 

of the Catholic Church Missions 

in Faith and Evangelisation

as Entrusted by Christ 

for His Holy Church

“Those who have opened their hearts to God’s love, 

heard his voice and received his light, 

cannot keep this gift to themselves.” 

~ Pope Francis ~

World Mission Sunday is celebrated the on the next to last Sunday in October. every year. Catholics worldwide are to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. In 2013, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on October 20. It started in 1926 by Pope Pius XI as the day of prayer and propaganda of missions. 

Pope Francis asks that Christians take advantage of this day, so that they can embrace the Gospel and spread its message.

"The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion."

~ Blessed John Paul II ~

Redemptoris Missio (Mission of the Redeemer)

Papal encyclical

7 December, 1990

"World Mission Day, which seeks to heighten awareness of the missions, as well as to collect funds for them, is an important date in the life of the Church, because it teaches how to give: as an offering made to God, in the Eucharistic celebration and for all the missions of the world." 

~ Blessed John Paul II ~

Redemptoris Missio (Mission of the Redeemer)

Papal encyclical

7 December, 1990

Luke 10:1-12

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

John 20:21-23

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”