World Mission Sunday: A Global Call of Service and Evangelization

World Mission Sunday is a special moment for the Church, a day that calls Catholics to unite in prayer and action to support the global mission of spreading the Gospel. Instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1926, it has since become a cornerstone of the Church’s efforts to evangelize the world. Each year, this day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility of all Christians to respond to Christ’s call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Pope Leo XIV, in his message for World Mission Sunday, urged every Catholic parish across the world to engage actively in the mission, saying, “I urge every Catholic parish in the world to take part in World Mission Sunday. Your prayers, your support will help spread the Gospel, provide for pastoral and catechetical programs, help to build new churches, and care for the health and educational needs of our brothers and sisters in mission territories.”

In the Archdiocese of Davao, the call to mission resonates deeply. Known for its rich diversity and vibrant local faith communities, the archdiocese has long been a hub of missionary activity in the Philippines. Missionaries, both foreign and local, work tirelessly across the region, especially in remote areas, to bring the light of Christ to those who have yet to hear the Good News. But the mission is not only about preaching; it is about building relationships, providing for the needs of the people, and working toward sustainable development through education, healthcare, and social services.

This World Mission Sunday, on October 19th, is even more significant as it falls within the Jubilee Year of Hope. In his message for this special time, Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful of the central theme of the Christian mission: to be “missionaries of hope among the peoples.” This Jubilee Year of Hope is a call to all Catholics to rediscover the transformative power of hope in the Gospel, and to commit anew to the “sweet and joyful task” of sharing the hope found in Christ with others. Missionaries in Davao embody this call daily, reaching out to those in need with a message of love, compassion, and healing, whether it’s in the form of pastoral care, educational programs, or health initiatives.

Pope Leo XIV’s words serve as an invitation for all Catholics, especially those in the Archdiocese of Davao, to renew their commitment to the mission of Christ. The Pope encouraged, “Let us commit ourselves anew to the sweet and joyful task of bringing Christ Jesus our Hope to the ends of the earth.” In Davao, this mission is not just about spiritual transformation but also about bringing hope to the marginalized and forgotten communities. The missionaries are living witnesses to the Gospel’s power to heal, to unite, and to restore dignity.

The work done by missionaries in the Archdiocese of Davao is rooted in Pope Leo XIV’s call to support both the physical and spiritual needs of those in mission territories. The archdiocese’s outreach programs—focused on providing education, healthcare, and social services—align perfectly with the vision set forth by the Holy Father. Whether building new churches, offering catechetical formation, or tending to the physical needs of the community, these efforts reflect the heart of what World Mission Sunday is all about: a united, global Church working together to bring Christ’s hope to the world.

As we celebrate this World Mission Sunday and reflect on our baptismal call, Pope Leo’s message serves as a powerful reminder that the mission of the Church is far-reaching and that each of us is called to be a missionary of hope. In the Archdiocese of Davao, this mission continues to thrive, as the faithful here engage in the joyful task of bringing Christ to the people, living out the hope of the Gospel with every act of service, evangelization and love.