October Missionary 2021: Asia

The celebration of the Missionary Month in Asia sees the particular Churches engaged at various levels, compatibly with the presence of the pandemic that is still raging in some countries. 

In the Philippines, already in September, the National Direction distributed a publication with daily meditations to the heads of the ecclesiastical structures, which was subsequently distributed in all the religious structures of the country. Among the numerous initiatives adopted to promote World Mission Day, in collaboration with the Office for the Promotion of the New Evangelization of the Archdiocese of Manila, a Philippine Conference on New Evangelization (PCNE) was organized.

In Japan, emphasis was placed on the Holy Father’s message, translated into the local language, and on the video made by Missio Australia: “We are still here”. 

In India, despite the raging pandemic, hard work is being carried out for the celebration also with the help of videos on Mission Sunday in English and other regional languages ​​for its maximum spread. 

In Pakistan, alongside the traditional communication campaign on the missionary theme, a national workshop has been organized to highlight the different aspects of the mission, considering that it is a Muslim country. 

In Sri Lanka, in addition to raising awareness among all the dioceses, the Holy Rosary is prayed every day, as from October 1, animated by the National Direction and a special collection for the mission is being organized, also the result of sacrifices and renunciations. 

In Thailand, unfortunately, the celebration of World Mission Sunday is hampered by the spread of the pandemic and have resorted to the online transmission of the Holy Mass. 

In Vietnam the lockdown still continues and the National Direction, by using the channels that have remained open, have sent almost 1000 tons of food to the people. 

Regarding World Mission Day, simple lessons have been prepared so that people can get to know the Pope’s message, the PMS and are encouraged to join: even in severe difficulties, nine days of rosary prayer are being prepared before Mission Day (online and off-line).