Each year, Catholics worldwide observe World Mission Sunday on the second-to-last Sunday of October. This day is set aside for prayer, reflection, and financial support for the Church’s missionary activities in 1,124 mission territories where communities are often young and face challenges such as poverty, conflict, or persecution.

World Mission Sunday this year falls on October 26. The observance is described as a unique occasion when “the entire Catholic Church — every parish, in every country — comes together to pray for and support the missionary efforts of the Church through The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies.”

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith was founded in 1822 by Blessed Pauline Jaricot. Its original purpose was to support missionaries through regular prayer and small weekly donations. “Pauline’s vision was simple: ask friends to give a penny a week and pray daily for those bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth.” Her approach gained global acceptance within the Church.

In 1922, Pope Pius XI designated it as one of The Pontifical Mission Societies, placing it under papal oversight and assigning it an important role in financing global mission work.

Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who once served as National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, emphasized its significance by stating that “the Church in the United States would never have grown as fast as it did without the support of the Society.” Between 1822 and 1908, American dioceses received funding equivalent to over $250 million today from this organization to help establish parishes, schools, and seminaries.

Supporters are encouraged to participate in World Mission Sunday through their local parish collections or other forms of giving.