World Mission Sunday, a worldwide day of prayer, solidarity and support for the Catholic Church’s missionary work, celebrates 100 years on Sunday (Oct. 11). Established by Pope Pius XI in October 1927 and organized by the Society for the Propagation of Faith, it is an invitation to all Catholics to participate in the global mission of the Church, particularly in upholding 1,130 mission dioceses most in need through prayer and financial support.
“The day reminds Catholics that the Church is missionary by nature,” states the Pontifical Mission Societies USA website. “Mission is not limited to priests, religious sisters or missionaries serving abroad. Every baptized person shares responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel and supporting the growth of the Church throughout the world.”
The movement started with a young Frenchwoman, Bl. Pauline Jaricot, who in the 1800s saw a great need to support missionaries in the Catholic Church. What started as a fundraising circle intended to prayerfully and financially support the work of missionaries, was eventually established as the global World Mission Sunday.
Every year, the Holy Father chooses a theme for World Mission Sunday. To mark the centenary celebration, Pope Leo XIV chose, “One in Christ, United in Mission.”
This special collection is uniquely relevant to Pope Leo, as it supports priests in missionary dioceses carrying out the work of spreading the Gospel — a role he held as Bishop Robert Prevost, OSA, in Peru before he was elected pope in 2025.
In his message commemorating the occasion, the pontiff prayed that “all members of the Church be united in mission, docile to the Holy Spirit, courageous in bearing witness to the Gospel, proclaiming and daily embodying [God’s] faithful love for all creatures.”
On the weekend of Oct. 18, Catholics are invited to take part in celebrating World Mission Sunday by praying for the missionary work of the Church around the world and making a donation online.
“Together, we can continue bringing Christ’s hope to communities around the world,” states the Pontifical Mission Societies USA website. “The next 100 years of mission begin with us.”
Read Pope Leo XIV’s remarks on World Mission Sunday 2026.
