Sheen effect, innovative storytelling and ‘renewed energy’ mark World Mission Sunday at 100

Catholics will observe World Mission Sunday on Oct. 18, marking the 100th anniversary of the global day of prayer and missionary promotion. Pope Leo XIV selected the theme "One in Christ, united in mission" for this year's milestone. In his message for the day, the Pope encouraged the entire Church to pursue its missionary journey with zeal and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Father Anthony D. Andreassi, a priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Brooklyn and a researcher for the Pontifical Mission Societies USA, noted that many dioceses are using new storytelling methods to highlight the need to pray for and support missionaries.

Established by Pope Pius XI in 1926, the observance takes place on the next-to-last Sunday in October. The original decree directs priests to preach missionary-focused homilies during Masses offered for the Church's missions. The date was originally chosen to precede the feast of Christ the King to emphasize the Church's missionary task.