This weekend is Mission Sunday and the annual collection for the work of missions is taken up at all masses. The theme of the years is “One in Christ, United in Mission”.
Pope Leo has sent a video message marking the 100th World Missionary Sunday, marked on the 18th of October 2026. In his video, the reflects on the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission” and expresses his gratitude to all those who have supported the annual celebration over the past century
He begins by giving thanks to God for the “abundant fruits” bestowed upon the Church since Pope Pius XI established World Mission Sunday 100 years ago.
His predecessor, the Pope recalls, sought to deepen awareness of the missionary task in every diocese and parish, encourage prayer for evangelisation and missionary vocations, and support the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Pope Leo then reflects on how these efforts helped shape his own vocation.
“Looking back on my youth, I can see how the prayers offered to the Lord of the harvest mysteriously helped prepare my heart to hear Jesus’ call to follow him as an Augustinian missionary”, he says. The prayers and contributions of the faithful, he adds, sustained both his missionary work in Peru and that of countless other missionaries throughout the world. “For this reason, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported World Mission Sunday over the years”, he adds.
“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between people.
He has not created me for nothing. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.
Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in worry, my worry may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”
(John Henry Newman)