The Pontifical Mission Societies in Los Angeles

PARISH RESOURCES & MATERIALS | LETTERS FROM ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ & MSGR. TERRANCE FLEMING| WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR WMS DONATION?| MESSAGE FOR WMS (English/Spanish)| DONATE ONLINE

World Mission Sunday, organized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is a special day for Catholics worldwide to renew their commitment to the Church’s missionary efforts through prayer and sacrifice.

Each year, the needs of the Catholic Church in the Missions grow. New dioceses are formed, new seminaries open due to the increasing number of young men called to the priesthood, areas affected by war or natural disasters are rebuilt, and regions previously suppressed begin to open up to the teachings of Christ and His Church. This growth underscores the urgent need for the involvement and commitment of Catholics globally. Contributions from Catholics in the United States, whether on World Mission Sunday or throughout the year, are combined with worldwide offerings to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Currently, about 1,150 mission dioceses receive regular annual assistance from these collected funds. Additionally, mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for support with catechetical programs, seminaries, Religious Communities’ work, communication and transportation needs, and the construction of chapels, churches, orphanages, and schools. These requests are matched with the funds gathered each year. The world’s national directors of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith vote on these requests to allocate the available funds to meet the greatest needs. These funds are then fully distributed to mission dioceses worldwide.

About this year’s World Mission Sunday:

Annually, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on the next-to-last Sunday in October, a day that unites the global Church in its mission of evangelization and solidarity. As described by Pope Saint John Paul II, World Mission Sunday is “an important day in the life of the Church because it teaches how to give: as an offering made to God, in the Eucharistic celebration and for all the missions of the world” (Redemptoris Missio 81). He also highlighted the significance of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith’s General Fund. He referred to it as a “central fund of solidarity,” where offerings are distributed in the Pope’s name to support missionaries and missions worldwide.

This year, Pope Francis, in his message for World Mission Sunday 2024, invites the faithful to reflect on the theme “Go and invite everyone to the banquet” (Mt 22:9). This call emphasizes the Church’s mission to be a welcoming and inclusive community, where all are invited to share in the banquet of God’s love and grace. On this special day, we are reminded that our contributions—whether through prayer, financial offerings, or acts of service—are vital in spreading the Gospel and supporting those who dedicate their lives to missionary work. Through our collective generosity, we participate in God’s mission of bringing hope, mercy, and faith to every corner of the world.

Resources & Materials:

Parish Resources & Materials

Letters from Archbishop Gomez and Msgr. Terrance Fleming

What happens to your World Mission Sunday Donation?

Pope Francis’ Message for WMS 2024

Mensaje del Santo Padre Francisco para WMS 2024

Contact & Support:

If you have any questions regarding World Mission Sunday in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, please call us at (213) 637-7223 or email us at MissionOffice@la-archdiocese.org.