World Mission Day

One Sunday for the whole world

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Pope Francis, in his message for World Mission Sunday 2023, reflects on the theme “Hearts on fire, feet on the move," based on the story of the disciples who encounter Jesus on their way to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35). He invites all of us to "set out once more, illumined by our encounter with the risen Lord and prompted by his Spirit. Let us set out again with burning hearts, with our eyes open and our feet in motion. Let us set out to make other hearts burn with the word of God, to open the eyes of others to Jesus in the Eucharist, and to invite everyone to walk together on the path of peace and salvation that God, in Christ, has bestowed upon all humanity."

On World Mission Sunday, we join our Holy Father in supporting his missions. As we pray and respond here at home, we share in those celebrations taking place in every parish and school throughout the world. Together, through our prayers and financial support, we bring the Lord’s mercy and concrete help to the most vulnerable communities in the Pope’s missions.

In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity as missionaries by our Baptism, as it offers each one of us an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the Church among the poor and marginalized in more than 1,111 mission dioceses.

You can find the resources as part of this newly-launched microsite for World Mission Month: https://onefamilyinmission.org/

Resources for World Mission Month: https://www.missio.org/resources

“How Mission Can Help Us Navigate Today’s Challenges” 

The Pontifical Mission Societies (MISSIO), in collaboration with the United States Catholic Mission Association (USCMA) and acclaimed documentary filmmaker and producer Andrew Muscato, launch a new streaming series, “How Mission Can Help Us Navigate Today’s Challenges.” 

The free streaming series, presented via YouTube, will cover themes such as how to remain resilient, deal with trauma and keep hope alive focusing on our relationships, the importance of prayer, and the practice of solidarity. 

Sign up for the series is at this link: https://series.missio.org.

Jesus the Missionary

Except from To the Ends of the Earth: A Pastoral Statement on World Mission.

Jesus was a missionary. As the Word of God, he is the light of all nations. As the Word made flesh, he brought God's own life into our midst. Before returning to the Father, he sent the Church to continue the mission given him by the Father and empowered her with his Spirit: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (Jn 20:21).

The Missionary Church

Except from To the Ends of the Earth: A Pastoral Statement on World Mission.

The Church, therefore, is missionary by her very nature. She continues the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit by proclaiming to the ends of the earth the salvation Christ offers those who believe in him. We are faithful to the nature of the Church to the degree that we love and sincerely promote her missionary activity. As teachers and pastors we are responsible for keeping alive a vibrant Catholic missionary spirit in the United States.

Committee Mandate

The Church's mission is to proclaim the salvation of Christ to the ends of the earth. As teachers and pastors, bishops are responsible for promoting Catholic world missions in the United States.The Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis supports initiatives which focus on the Church's world mission by promoting mission education and working collaboratively with the Pontifical Mission Societies and other mission organizations. 

Vatican Documents on Mission

Ad Gentes
Evangelii Gaudium
Evangelii Nuntiandi
Redemptoris Missio

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Documents on Mission

Teaching the Spirit of Mission Ad Gentes: Continuing Pentecost Today
Best Practices to Teach the Spirit of Mission

Learn more about mission organizations in the United States.