Mission Sunday

Mission Sunday History

World Mission Sunday is an annual global observance celebrated by the Catholic Church to emphasize the critical importance of missionary work in propagating the Gospel message. The purpose of this day is to instill in the hearts of Catholics the passion and commitment to participate in evangelization efforts through prayer, financial contributions, or engaging in missionary activities. It is a day marked by a spirit of solidarity, wherein Catholics worldwide support each other in their mission to spread the word of God and uplift the lives of marginalized communities.

The origin of World Mission Sunday dates back to 1926 when Pope Pius XI instituted it as a day to remind the faithful of their responsibility to contribute to the Church's missionary work. In India, the observance of World Mission Sunday holds significant importance. The country is home to a large and diverse population, where millions have yet to hear the Gospel. It is an opportunity for the Indian Catholic community to come together and support the efforts of missionaries spreading the Gospel message and engaging in charitable works for the socio-economic and spiritual upliftment of the underprivileged sections of society.

World Mission Sunday is observed with great enthusiasm across various parishes, dioceses, and Catholic institutions in India. The celebrations typically include special prayers, Holy Masses, and awareness programmes to educate the laity about the importance of missionary work. Various initiatives are undertaken to support missionaries, such as collection drives to raise funds, food, and other essential items to be sent to mission areas. Special prayers are organized for the success of missionary endeavours and converting souls to the Christian faith. In India, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on the next to last Sunday of October in unity with the rest of the Catholic world.

Mission Sunday facts

• The funds collected during World Mission Sunday are distributed, in the Pope's name, among mission-controlled dioceses and countries around the world.
• It was first established by Pope Pius XI in 1926, and is now observed by Roman Catholics, along with other Christian communities globally.
• In some churches, the day is marked by a special collection taken up to support missionary projects.
• The celebration of Mission Sunday started in 1926 by Pope Pius XI who called it the day of prayer for missions. The original idea came from France where the first Mission Sunday took place in 1822.
• Every year, the Pope delivers a special message for World Mission Sunday. The message is sent to all the local churches in the world and also shared on television and social media.

In the News and Trending in India for Mission Sunday

Top things to do in India for Mission Sunday

• On World Mission Sunday, many churches in India hold special masses and prayer services dedicated to the missionary work of the church and the support of mission territories worldwide.
• Organizations like the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) may organize prayer meetings, workshops, and awareness programs about missionary work which you can attend.