World Mission Sunday
Light of Christ to all Peoples
Alternative Celebration: Learn more here.
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
Today we celebrate World Mission Sunday, a day when the whole Church renews her call to bring the light of Christ to all peoples. The prophet Isaiah (60:1-6) speaks of God’s glory shining on His people, drawing nations toward His light. The Book of Revelation (1:3-8) reminds us that Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, is the faithful witness who has freed us by His blood. In the Gospel (Jn 17:11b, 17-23), Jesus prays that His disciples may be consecrated in truth and united in love, so that the world may believe. Today’s liturgy sends us forth as witnesses of Christ’s light and love to the ends of the earth.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Cf. Ps 67 (66):2-3)
O God, be gracious and bless us, and let your face shed its light upon us, and have mercy. So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your salvation.
The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said.
COLLECT
Let us pray
(pause)
O God, whose will it is that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, look upon your abundant harvest and be pleased to send workers to gather it, that the Gospel may be preached to all creation and that your people, gathered by the word of life and sustained by the power of the Sacraments, may advance in the path of salvation and love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Or
Let us pray
(pause)
O God, who sent your Son into the world as the true light, pour out, we pray, the Spirit he promised to sow seeds of truth constantly in people’s hearts and to awaken in them obedience to the faith, so that, being born to new life through Baptism, all may become part of your one people. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Responsorial Psalm
R. The heavens declare the glory of God. (Ps 19:2)
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day; and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. The heavens declare the glory of God
Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. The heavens declare the glory of God
Alleluia Verse
Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Prayers of the Faithful
Dear brothers and sisters,
On this World Mission Sunday, we unite with the whole Church in prayer for the mission entrusted to us by Christ: to bring His love and light to every corner of the world. With confidence in God’s providence, let us now place our petitions before Him, who calls us to be one family in faith.
1. For the Church throughout the world:
That she may faithfully proclaim the Good News of Christ to every nation and be a beacon of unity and hope for all peoples.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2. For our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and all pastors of the Church:
That they may be strengthened in their mission of guiding God’s people and inspiring us to share the Gospel with courage.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3. For missionaries, both near and far:
That God may bless their work, protect them in danger, and make their witness bear abundant fruit in the hearts of those they serve.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4. For nations torn apart by conflict, division, or injustice:
That the message of peace and reconciliation in Christ may bring healing and restore harmony among peoples.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5. For our parish community:
That we may recognize our baptismal call to be missionaries, supporting the Church’s mission through prayer, sacrifice, and action.
Let us pray to the Lord.
6. For those who suffer poverty, hunger, or exclusion:
That through our solidarity and witness of charity, they may experience God’s love and dignity as His children.
Let us pray to the Lord.
7. For our departed brothers and sisters:
That they may rejoice forever in the eternal kingdom, where every nation and tongue gives praise to God.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You sent Your Son to gather all peoples into one family of love and peace. Hear the prayers we have offered for the Church and for the world. Strengthen us in our baptismal calling to be witnesses of the Gospel, and grant that through our prayer, sacrifice, and daily lives, we may help bring Your saving message to all nations. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Look, O Lord, upon the face of your Christ,
who handed himself over as a ransom for all,
so that through him,
from the rising of the sun to its setting,
your name may be exalted among the nations
and in every place a single offering
may be presented to your majesty.
Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
PREFACE OF THE SUNDAYS IN ORDINARY TIME
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Cf. Mt 28:20)
Teach all nations to keep whatever I have commanded you,
says the Lord.
And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray (pause)
Nourished by these redeeming gifts,
we pray, O Lord,
that through this help to eternal salvation
true faith may ever increase.
Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
SOLEMN BLESSING IN ORDINARY TIME