One in Christ, united in mission

MISSION month 2025 may have come to an end, but already the theme chosen for next year's World Mission Sunday has been released by the Vatican.

At the suggestion of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, 'One in Christ, united in mission' is the theme that has been chosen for 2026—a year that will mark the 100th anniversary of the first ever World Mission Sunday established by Pope Pius XI. Next year's World Mission Sunday will be celebrated on October 18.

In his appeal this year in support of World Mission Day, Pope Leo XIV emphasised that it is a special occasion when the whole Church unites in prayer for missionaries and for the fruitfulness of their apostolic work. Recalling his personal experience as a priest and then missionary bishop in Peru, the Supreme Pontiff said: “I saw first-hand how the faith, the prayer and the generosity shown on World Mission Sunday can transform entire communities."

The theme of World Mission Sunday 2026—which in its first part recalls the motto chosen by the Holy Father for his Pontificate, 'In Illo uno unum' ('In Him who is One (Christ), we are One')—recalls the unity of believers in faith, based on the unity with Christ con the Father, and the consequent common mission of evangelisation.

The first step in the preparation of World Mission Sunday 2026 will be the dissemination, in the first months of the year, of the Holy Father’s message. This will become the guiding thread of the many initiatives of animation and formation in the spirit and of missionary responsibility in all the faithful throughout this significant year, during which we will also celebrate the 110th anniversary of the foundation of the Pontifical Missionary Union, defined by Saint Paul VI as 'the soul of the other Pontifical Missionary Works' (Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Society of the Holy Childhood (Missionary Children) and Society of Saint Peter the Apostle).

These four societies—each with its own specific character—are dedicated to promoting missionary responsibility among the Baptised and supporting new Churches.

PIC: FADHIL ABHIMANTRA