▼ Video Message from Pope Leo XIV ▼
What Is World Mission Sunday?
World Mission Sunday is the moment each year when the entire Church—across every parish, in every country—comes together as one Body in Christ, united in prayer, sacrifice, and charity for the Church in the mission territories.
It is a visible expression of the Church’s call to be missionary by her very nature (Ad Gentes, 2), and a reminder that no parish stands alone.
Instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1926, it is always celebrated on the second-to-last Sunday of October.
This is the Catholic Church’s only universal collection mandated in canon law (Canon 791).
Unlike Peter’s Pence and the Good Friday collection for the Holy Land, which are in response to papal decrees.
In the Heart of Our Holy Father
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
The Voice of World Mission Sunday
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
He is the greatest National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the history of the Church, helping to raise $200 million (in today’s money $2.1 billion) for the growth of the Church.
Under his leadership (1950–1966), World Mission Sunday became a defining moment in the life of the Church in the United States. He is doubtless praying for all U.S. priests to share his passion for the mission ad gentes.
Where Do the Collection Funds Go?
The money raised on World Mission Sunday is directed by
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith and is used for:
Ordinary Subsidies
Part of the funds are used to help missionary dioceses to run and survive.
This subsidy, usually between 20K and 50K a year, enables the local missionary bishop to focus on his pastoral duties.
Extraordinary Subsidies
The rest of the funds are used to build churches, seminaries, convents, and pastoral centers.
In an average year, WMS helps to fund over 900 infrastructure-related projects for the Church!
The Pontifical Mission Societies were gathered together by Pope Pius XI and his successors to facilitate more missionary support from the global church. Each society has a specific role to play:
