Sunday 20 October was World Mission Sunday. It’s the one day in the year where the entire global Church comes together in solidarity and support for Mission.
And this year, occurring during the Extraordinary Month of Mission (EMM2019), it has been especially meaningful for Missio.
As the Pope’s chosen charity for Mission, we’re proud to work wherever the Church is new, young or poor, igniting God’s love in communities where it’s most needed. On World Mission Sunday we reach out and celebrate with our sister organisations around the world, sharing the immense love and support from the Church family for Mission.
Mass in St Peter’s
His Holiness Pope Francis led the way with a special mass in St Peter’s. Speaking to the world during the World Mission Sunday service, the Holy Father reminded us that:
‘Each of us has and each of us is a mission on this earth. We are here to radiate the beauty of Jesus. Have courage! Jesus wants everyone to know that they are beloved children of the Father, then go and show his love to everyone. Let us go fearlessly forth to all!’
You can read the full script of Pope Francis’ homily here.
Here in England and Wales, we celebrated the call to mission and being part of our universal Church family, offering prayers and donations to support missionaries in sharing God’s love with communities that are poor or in need.
And in countries and dioceses around the world, Catholics have answered the call to action. Each responded to the Pope’s prayer for a ‘new missionary dawn’ in the Church in their own way. Here are just a few of the events that took place…
World Mission Sunday around the world
In Sri Lanka, Masses for World Mission Sunday took place around the country, with a national celebration held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Trincomalee. A giant version of the Mission Rosary was carried in procession – a beautiful visual reminder of how every continent prays for every other through the Church family.
Missio in the Antilles demonstrated mission in action over the weekend of World Mission Sunday, sharing photos of mission groups reaching out to poor and hungry people in their own dioceses and visiting hospitals.
And in the Philippines, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged the Catholic congregation to ‘Go on mission together’. Speaking during a service in Manila the Cardinal said:
‘Mission is not just for a few individuals but for all of us… Mission is in community. Mission is ecclesial, the Church.’ He added: ‘Let us encourage every baptized person… You are sent by Christ and by the Church.’
Meanwhile Missio Malta posted this fantastic video of the Joy Gospel singers performing the EMM song, Baptised and Sent:
You make it happen
The Pontifical Mission Societies around the world are only as strong as our Church family. At this time of year, the outpouring of solidarity and support for mission and missionaries revitalises and inspires us all. We truly feel the truth of the phrase: ‘together we are mission’. And we rejoice that, thanks to your donations and prayers, missionaries like Sr Clara, who featured in this year’s World Mission Sunday story, will be able to continue to help and spread Christ’s love and compassion where it’s needed most.
It’s not too late to add your donation to World Mission Sunday 2019. Just follow the link and select ‘World Mission Sunday’ from the drop down box.
Baptised and Sent
Particularly this year, when World Mission Sunday has taken place against the backdrop of EMM2019, we feel humbled by the thousands of people who have taken the time to share their personal missions through our social media campaign, sharing an incredible variety and number of pledges with the hashtag #MyMission and #OurMission. It’s great to feel the support and enthusiasm of the global Church family, Together we are Mission!
The Extraordinary Month of Mission runs on to the end of October! If you haven’t yet added you personal #MyMission or #OurMission to the social media campaign, click here to join in now.