Everyone's invited to share in God's banquet

Sister Jovanna with family in Lebanon

World Mission Sunday, on 20 October, celebrates a profound truth: we are all cherished children of God; united as one family by his unconditional love. This day of prayer, solidarity, and giving unites Catholics worldwide in sharing the transformative Good News that everyone deserves to hear - we are all invited to God's banquet, whoever and wherever we are.

World Mission Sunday is organised in every country where the Church has a presence, through Missio, the Pope's official charity for overseas mission. Through World Mission Sunday, and the support it generates from the global Catholic family, missionaries in countries like Lebanon, Mongolia, and Cameroon embody the hope of Christ's resurrection for all.

Missionaries do this through tirelessly reaching out to all in need of God's love. They are often the first to respond in times of crisis and the last to leave; staying with the communities they serve through danger, poverty, and hardship. World Mission Sunday is a lifeline for thousands of missionaries who bring Christ's love to some of the most challenging places in our world.

Sister Jovanna, currently serving families in Lebanon who live under the constant threat of rockets and gunfire, is determined to stay and serve her community, despite the risks. She explains: "Our aim is to share love and care with families in real need. As long as we have food, we will share it and do everything we can to support them, preserving their dignity and hope."

Fr Rouphael, Missio's National Director in Lebanon, highlights how this unity is shown in practice: "Churches and schools are opening to welcome the displaced, and there are many individual initiatives of solidarity with Christians and Muslims alike."

On World Mission Sunday, Missio asks the global Catholic family to stand with the thousands of missionaries who bring Christ's message of healing and new life to struggling communities throughout the world. Through your prayers, donations, and fundraising, they can help the people they serve understand deeply that they are cherished by God and by us.

Pope Francis invites all Catholics to support Missio on this special day. Every Catholic parish worldwide is called to participate through prayers and offerings, embodying the truth that we are one family in God who loves us all uniquely.

Our collective effort sends a powerful message across our world - that everyone is invited; everyone belongs in this communion of faith and hope. And the effort is truly collective: in 2023, Malawi contributed £15,762, Bolivia £25,341, and Malta £246,720 to World Mission Sunday. Supporters in England and Wales raised £595,648, an outpouring of generosity which has had a significant impact for missionaries and local faith communities who requested our help to share the Gospel in areas of great poverty, conflict, and turmoil.

This year's theme, chosen by the Holy Father, is 'Go and invite everyone to the banquet!'

Fr Anthony Chantry, Missio's National Director in England and Wales, emphasises: "We are invited to take our place at God's table, alongside our global family - to know that we are connected and united in prayer, and around the Eucharist.

It doesn't matter who you are, which nation you belong to, what you have achieved or not achieved… at this banquet you will sit next to saints and sinners and humanity in all its beautiful diversity, and all those divisions, pitting one against another, driving a wedge through humanity will be bridged with tolerance and reconciliation."

On World Mission Sunday, we invite each and every Catholic to join us in throwing wide the doors of our global Church and letting everyone know they are welcome at God's table. Together we respond to the challenge of witnessing Jesus' words in our daily lives, by reaching out to all who are lost, oppressed, and discouraged.

Together we can support missionaries throughout the world and play our part in God's mission to build a world of justice, peace, and solidarity.

Visit World Mission Sunday 2024 - Missio to find news and updates from communities across the world who desperately need the love and hope of Jesus in their lives. Here you'll also find everything you need to celebrate, fundraise, pray, and share World Mission Sunday with your community.

Watch a short film on Sister Jovana in Lebanon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Y6r26bWs4&t=6s

World Mission Sunday: Mongolia: www.youtube.com/shorts/_A060aS-ZH0