MALAWI: Preparations for World Mission Sunday 2026

We are publishing an interview with the Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Malawi, Father Peter Ephraim Madeya, in preparation for World Mission Sunday 2026.

1.⁠ ⁠How would you describe the mission and the role of the Mission in your country?

The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Malawi continue to play a vital role in keeping alive the missionary spirit of the Church. Our mission is to foster missionary awareness, encourage prayer for the universal Church, promote missionary formation, and mobilise support for the evangelising work of the Church, especially in mission territories.

Through the four Pontifical Mission Societies, we accompany dioceses, parishes, schools and Catholic institutions in living the Gospel through evangelisation, education, works of charity and pastoral outreach. Mission in Malawi is not understood simply as sending missionaries abroad, but as enabling every baptized Christian to become a missionary disciple within their own community. The centenary reminds us that mission belongs to the whole Church and that every Christian has a responsibility to proclaim Christ through faith, witness and service.

2.⁠ ⁠How are you experiencing the preparations for the Centenary of World Mission Sunday?

The preparations have been both spiritually enriching and practically demanding. They have brought together bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful from all eight dioceses of Malawi in a remarkable spirit of collaboration and communion.

The National Organising Committee has established various subcommittees responsible for liturgy, protocol, accommodation, publicity, fundraising, transport, security, health and sanitation. While there is still important work to complete, we are encouraged by the unity, commitment and generosity that continue to characterise the preparations. More importantly, the process itself has become an opportunity to renew missionary consciousness and strengthen our sense of shared responsibility for the mission of the Church.

3.⁠ ⁠In your view, what are the most important initiatives you are organizing to celebrate the Day?

The national celebration will take place on 3 October 2026 at Mzuzu Stadium under the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission.” It will be preceded by the opening of National Mission Month at St. Theresa Parish, Katete, and will be honoured by the presence of Monsignor Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union on 1st October, 2026, together with delegates from some African countries. The guest of Honor will also have an audience with all Priests and Religious Brothers and Sisters from Mzuzu Diocese on 5th October, 2026. Our key initiatives include:

•⁠  ⁠A nationwide missionary animation programme in all dioceses and parishes.

•⁠  ⁠The National Launch of the Centenary activities.

•⁠  ⁠A major Eucharistic celebration bringing together thousands of Catholics from across Malawi.

•⁠  ⁠Formation programmes highlighting the history and importance of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

•⁠  ⁠Production of a documentary on the history and impact of the PMS in Malawi.

•⁠  ⁠Extensive media campaigns through radio, television, social media and community engagement.

•⁠  ⁠Fundraising initiatives involving dioceses, parishes, Catholic institutions and benefactors to ensure broad participation and local ownership of the celebrations.

4.⁠ ⁠Regarding the importance of communicating your mission and presence: could you tell us about your website? What does it offer, and why did you set it up?

Communication is now an essential part of missionary work. To strengthen our missionary outreach, we recently established the PMS Malawi website as a central platform for evangelisation, information sharing and missionary formation.

The website provides news and updates on missionary activities, information about the Pontifical Mission Societies, formation materials, reflections for Mission Month, announcements of national and diocesan events, photographs and videos, and opportunities for people to support the missionary work of the Church. It also serves as a permanent archive of our activities and allows Catholics in Malawi and abroad to follow our missionary journey.

As we celebrate the Centenary of World Mission Sunday, the website has become an important tool for promoting unity, encouraging participation and ensuring that the missionary message reaches a much wider audience beyond our dioceses. It reflects our conviction that today’s digital world is itself a mission territory, where the Church must proclaim the Gospel with creativity and hope.