100 Years WMD

“The Pontifical Mission Societies are a <span>worldwide network</span> of prayer and charity at the service of the Holy Father, in his support of missionary activity and Young Churches in mission lands”

“The Pontifical Mission Societies are a worldwide network of prayer and charity at the service of the Holy Father, in his support of missionary activity and Young Churches in mission lands”

"The PMS are and must be experienced as an instrument of service for the mission of the particular Churches, against the backdrop of the mission of the universal Church"

(Pope's Message to the Pontifical Mission Societies, 21 May 2020)

<span>Missionary societies</span> were born spontaneously, from the missionary fervor expressed by the faith of the baptized

Missionary societies were born spontaneously, from the missionary fervor expressed by the faith of the baptized

A single inspiration animates four Societies:

Holy childhood

Children pray for children
children evangelize children
children help children

Missionary Union

Forms Christians in the missionary commitment of their faith

St. Peter the Apostle

supports vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life in mission territories

Propagation of the faith

involves every baptized person in cooperating in the work of evangelization and in supporting young churches

One Day, a century of mission: a century dedicated to renewing and preserving the spiritual and fraternal unity of believers in Christ. A century dedicated to giving concrete expression to the love proclaimed by the Church without boundaries: the love of God, made flesh in the face and life of Jesus Christ.

October 18, 2026: 100th WORLD MISSION DAY

“For World Mission Day 2026, which marks the centenary of a celebration established by Pius XI that is very dear to the Church, I have chosen the theme “One in Christ, united in mission.” Following the Jubilee Year, I wish to encourage the whole Church to continue its missionary journey with joy and zeal in the Holy Spirit. This requires hearts united in Christ, reconciled communities and, in everyone, a willingness to cooperate with generosity and trust”.

(LEO PP. XIV, MESSAGE FOR THE 100th WORLD MISSION DAY 2026)

World Mission DAY 2026 marks the 100th edition of this initiative, established by Pope Pius XI in 1926 to collect offerings and distribute them, on behalf of the Pope, to meet the various needs of the Church’s mission.

Key milestones in the history of World Mission Day:

May 3, 1922 – The Motu Proprio Romanorum Pontificum declares the Society for the Propagation of the Faith a Pontifical Society.

April 14, 1926 – Pope Pius XI approves the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites establishing the penultimate Sunday of October as World Mission Day throughout the universal Church. The decree was issued in response to a request from the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

“It is also worth remembering that, following a proposal from the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, Pius XI established World Mission Day in 1926. The annual offerings collected on this day are distributed by the Society, on behalf of the Pope, to support the various needs of the Church’s mission. The four Societies, therefore, as a whole and each in its own specificity, still play a valuable role for the entire Church. They are a living sign of unity and ecclesial missionary communion. I invite everyone to work with them in a spirit of gratitude”.

(LEO PP. XIV, MESSAGE FOR THE 100th WORLD MISSION DAY 2026)

21 September 2026

“The Pontifical Mission Societies are a worldwide network of prayer and charity at the service of the Holy Father, in his support of missionary activity and Young Churches in mission lands”

Missionary societies were born spontaneously, from the missionary fervor expressed by the faith of the baptized