World Mission Day was first established by Pope Pius XI, beginning in October 1927. This year the Church celebrates the 100th World Mission Day on Sunday, October 18, 2026. As the Church prepares to celebrate this day, Pope Leo XIV calls us to unity in Christ, love, and renewed missionary commitment “with joy and zeal in the Holy Spirit” in his first World Mission Sunday Message: “One in Christ, united in mission.”

The collection helps priests in the missions carry out their work to spread the Gospel, like Father and later Bishop Robert Prevost, OSA, in Peru.

“I would like to thank the Pontifical Mission Societies for their service to missionary cooperation, which I experienced with gratitude during my ministry in Peru.”
~ Pope Leo XIV (Jan 25, 2026)

“My greatest love has always been for the missions of the Church.” ~ Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen