World Mission Sunday is Sunday, October 22, 2023. This day is an opportunity to pray for and support Catholic Missionaries, but it’s also a great opportunity to learn more and discover the missionary call that applies to all Catholics. Your parish may have a special collection and/or have a special message about missionary work, but here are some other ways you can recognize the occasion. 
 

1. Read Pope Francis's Message for 2023 World Mission Sunday 

"For this year’s World Mission Sunday, I have chosen a theme inspired by the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, in the Gospel of Luke (cf. 24:13-35): 'Hearts on fire, feet on the move'. Those two disciples were confused and dismayed, but their encounter with Christ in the word and in the breaking of the bread sparked in them the enthusiastic desire to set out again towards Jerusalem and proclaim that the Lord had truly risen. In the Gospel account, we perceive this change in the disciples through a few revealing images: their hearts burned within them as they heard the Scriptures explained by Jesus, their eyes were opened as they recognized him and, ultimately, their feet set out on the way. By meditating on these three images, which reflect the journey of all missionary disciples, we can renew our zeal for evangelization in today’s world . . ."

Read the rest of Pope Francis's reflection.
 

2. Learn More About Our Mission

As a missionary congregation, the Spiritans have been working in more than 60 countries around the world proclaiming the Good News for 300 years.



Learn more about What Spiritans Do 
 

3. Hear from Spiritan Missionaries in Their Own Words

We regularly share the experiences of Spiritan Missionaries. Here are some stories they’ve shared. 

• VIDEO: Fr. Bill Christy, C.S.Sp., on Missionary Life

• Fr. Ned Marchessault, C.S.Sp. was a Spiritan Missionary in Africa for over 50 years. Several years ago, he shared his letters with us, showing a unique perspective of the life of a missionary. 
• VIDEO: Fr. John Fogarty, C.S.Sp. on Spiritan Impact

 

4. Pray for Missionaries

Don’t forget to pray for missionaries and for your own heart to be filled with the missionary spirit.

Here’s a prayer you can use to pray for missions and missionaries:

Lord of the harvest, we ask that You lead and bless everyone currently involved in missions around the world. May their efforts help many others understand Your grace and love. We pray that You will continue using the missions to alter lives and bring about positive change worldwide. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From AvePray.com

Here’s a prayer to be a missionary disciple in your daily life:

Lord you left your Mother in our midst that she might accompany us. May she take care of us and protect us on our journey, in our hearts, in our faith. May she make us disciples like herself, missionaries like herself. May she teach us to go out onto the streets. May she teach us to step outside ourselves . May she, by her meekness, by her peace, show us the way. Amen.
-Prayer to Be Disciples and Missionaries from the USCCB

5. Support Our Work

There are many ways to support Spiritan Missionaries, whether through a donation, planned giving, and even by saving your stamps and sending them to Fr. Neil McQuillan, C.S.Sp.!