World Mission Sunday

(October 18, 2008) Each parish around the world celebrates World Mission Sunday today on 19 October as a sign of the Church's global solidarity in mission. All prayers and donations on World Mission Sunday help to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. It is a unique opportunity to show love and solidarity with all Christian brothers and sisters who share the faith. To support them in our shared mission is showing the love of God for all. Thanks to Mission Sunday all can join with the whole Church in bringing spiritual and material help to those who need it most. The Association for the Propagation of the Faith (APF) is responsible for coordinating World Mission Sunday and providing support to them. The World Mission Sunday theme for 2008 is 'Help others to see Jesus'. In his message for the 82nd World Mission Day Pope Benedict XVI said: “On the occasion of World Missions Day, I would like to invite you all to reflect on the urgent need to announce the Gospel, also in our own times. The missionary mandate continues to be an absolute priority for all baptized persons, called to be ‘servants and apostles of Jesus Christ,’ at the dawn of this millennium.” “Today,” the Pontiff added, “there are countless people who are waiting for the proclamation of the Gospel, those who are thirsting for hope and love.” At the end of his Message Pope Benedict XVI referred to the contribution to mission by the Pontifical Mission Societies, a tool of missionary action but also charity. The Pope says: “may the celebration of World Mission Day encourage everyone to take renewed awareness of the urgent need to proclaim the Gospel.”