World Mission Sunday

Today, 20 October, the next-to-last Sunday of October, is being observed as World Mission Sunday. In 1926 Pope Pius XI instituted Mission Sunday for the whole Church with the first worldwide Mission Sunday collection taking place in October 1927. The Mission Sunday collection is always taken on the next to last Sunday during the month of October.

World Mission Day is celebrated in all the local Churches as the feast of catholicity and universal solidarity so Christians the world over will recognize their common responsibility with regard to the evangelization of the world. This year's theme, from Matthew 22:9, is "Go and invite everyone to the banquet." 

To access Pope Francis' message of World Mission Day, 2023, please visit:

The Vatican: Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2024

Reflated commentary:

Vatican News: Mission Sunday: TPMS invites Catholics to hope, faith, action

Aleteia: Philip Kosloski: Why Pius XI instituted World Mission Sunday (21 OCT 23)

The Pilot: Echoes: Maureen Crowley Heil. Living World Mission Sunday (20 OCT 23)

Aleteia: Philip Kosloski: St. John Paul II began his pontificate on World Mission Sunday (21 OCT 23)