On October 22nd, 2006, the Catholic Church around the world will observe World Mission Sunday. This annual observance was instituted 80 years ago in 1926 by a papal decree issued by Pope Pius XI. Every year since then, the universal Church dedicates the month of October to reflection on and prayer for the missions. On the second last Sunday of October, Catholics from Argentina to Zimbabwe gather to celebrate Eucharist as one and in the context of Eucharist contribute to a collection for the work of evangelization around the world.

The Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith has been asked to organize this day on behalf of missions and missionaries, to see that all funds collected are made available to the universal solidarity fund and to look after the distribution of these funds to the young churches in mission lands, especially the poorest.

Pope Benedict XVI in his message for World Mission Sunday 2006 reminds us that Love is the Soul of Mission. Surely this love is evident in the actions of Canadian Catholics over the past 80 years as they reach out lovingly and generously towards our brothers and sisters in the missions.

World Mission Sunday truly belongs to the whole world. It is celebrated in every country, in every diocese, in every parish even the poorest. Let us be part of this great act of solidarity in prayer, in sacrifice and in generous giving.

Richard Grecco

Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto

Bishop Ponens, Society for the Propagation of the Faith for Canada, English Sector