Malawians encouraged to be evangelizers to the ends of the earth

By Vatican News

The Pontifical Missionary Society (PMS) in Malawi has kicked off a three-month preparation period ahead of the World Mission Sunday celebrated in October every year.

Speaking at the launch in the capital city, Lilongwe, PMS National Director, Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa enjoined Christians to be instruments of missionary work to the ends of the world through acts of love.

“It is my sincere hope that Catholics in the country will take this three-month period as one that will help them enrich their Christian faith and, above all, offer service to the Church,” he said.

And, though we are racing against a deadly contagion, Fr. Mwakhwawa added, “this should not bar us from showing love to others and serve our neighbors.” 

A representative of the Malawian Laity Council, Dr. Mary Shaba, said that through the World Mission Sunday, the Church “has given us yet another rare opportunity to show our commitment in ensuring that the Gospel reaches the ends of the world.” 

Therefore, she appealed, “amid Covid-19, let’s not forget about our unwavering love for God and humanity.”

This theme for this year’s World Mission Sunday is: “Here I am, send me” (Isaiah 6: 8)

World Mission Sunday

Pope Pius XI instituted Mission Sunday in 1926. It is a day set aside for Catholics all over the world to recommit themselves to the missionary work of the Church through prayer and sacrifice. 

A collection is usually taken to support the work of missions and to meet the material and spiritual needs of peoples and Churches all over the world.

Pope Francis, in his message for World Mission Day 2020, pointed out that in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, the missionary journey of the Church continues in response to the Lord’s question “Whom shall I send?” (Is 6:8).

Christians, therefore, are to respond to God’s invitation, “because He Himself is Love, Love that is always ‘on mission’, always reaching out in order to give life.”

The celebration of World Mission Day, said the Pope, is “an occasion for reaffirming how prayer, reflection and the material help of your offerings are so many opportunities to participate actively in the mission of Jesus in his Church.” 

Pontifical Mission Societies

Pontifical Mission Societies promote a universal missionary spirit among all baptized Catholics, encourage missionary cooperation and solidarity, and gather support for the worldwide missions of the Church. 

They consist of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Holy Childhood Association, the Society of St. Peter Apostle and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious.