The missionary world is celebrating its Jubilee today and is preparing to experience October, its missionary month. On Sunday 19th, the whole Church will celebrate World Mission Day. This year’s theme is ‘Missionaries of Hope among the Peoples’. In his message for this day, Pope Leo reminds us that “In this mystical “today” that lasts until the end of the world, Christ is the fulfilment of salvation for all, especially for those for whom God is the only hope. During his earthly life, “He went about doing good and healing everyone” (…) He entrusted everything to God the Father, obeying with total trust in his plan of salvation for humanity, a plan of peace for a future full of hope (cf. Jer 29:11). He thus became the divine Missionary of Hope, the supreme model for those who, throughout the centuries, continue the mission received from God, even in the midst of extreme trials.

Through his disciples, sent to all peoples and accompanied by him spiritually, the Lord Jesus continues his ministry of hope for humanity. That is why the responsibility of all missionaries who follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus, and who become with him and in him signs and messengers of hope for all, in every place and in every circumstance, is profound and important. May all the baptised, missionary disciples of Christ, make his Hope shine forth in every corner of the earth! May the message of Pope Leo XIV reach all the Sisters of Charity, missionaries following in the footsteps of Christ, but also the many lay people, young and old, present and active in our missions.