By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
Earlier this year, Pope Leo XIV announced the theme for the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday as “One in Christ, united in mission.” It is inspired by his crest and motto, which illustrate the central charism of his papacy which is In illo uno, unum which translates, “In the One, we are one.”
Fittingly, his message was released on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the greatest of missionaries in the early church. The cornerstone of Pope Leo’s teaching during this milestone century commemoration is centered in the Lord’s prayer for unity at the Last Supper in the Gospel of John, chapter 17: “that they may be one as we are one, Father.”
The power of the Lord’s love in action gives purpose to his Great Commission to bring the Gospel to all the nations. Our call to be united in mission has its source in the waters of Baptism and the communion of life and love that we know in God who is love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Like the first Christian community in Jerusalem, we are called to be of one heart and mind in the Holy Spirit, eager to live the Gospel and to invite others to know the Lord. Ideally, as we pray for and support missionaries throughout the world, we recognize that many local encounters are ripe for our own missionary activity.
The missionary labors of the Church are unrelenting throughout the world, and not surprisingly, the generosity of many in the Church in the United States substantially supports these efforts. The recent beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen who headed the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1950 to 1966 in the United States is timely in anticipation of World Mission Sunday. He raised impressive amounts of money during his tenure and his ministry as an evangelist and teacher inspired many to a deeper faith in the crucified Lord and greater generosity to propagate the faith. In a timely manner, his final year as director of the Propagation of the Faith in 1966 was the beginning of a renewed missionary impetus in the Church in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council.

The Council Fathers under the gaze of the Holy Spirit produced the document Ad Gentes (To the Nations) which was promulgated by Pope St. Paul VI on Dec. 7, 1965. In particular, the Church in the United States was given marching orders to partner with dioceses in Mexico, Central and South America in order to strengthen the evangelizing mission of the Catholic Church in the western world. Many dioceses took to heart this call to action. The Diocese of Natchez-Jackson partnered with the Diocese of Saltillo, Mexico, in 1969, inaugurating a bond of Gospel solidarity that has evolved and flourished to the present day. For the past 57 years the Lord has mutually blessed thousands of Mississippi Catholics who went on mission to Saltillo, as well as the católicos mexicanos who opened their hearts and homes to the pilgrims from the north. Presently, it is too dangerous to go on mission overland, but we are in solidarity through prayer, generosity and social media as last month’s visit demonstrated. The physical distance that separates us has not severed the bonds of faith, hope and love that unite us in the Body of Christ.
Finally, the digital landscape is another domain that is ripe for missionary disciples. Pope Leo has repeatedly encouraged many in the Church to be heralds of the Gospel in the digital realm, recognizing that there are many creative ways in this domain to illuminate with the light of the Gospel the darkness and shadows that afflict modern men and women. Let us offer the prayer that concludes Pope Leo’s message.
“Holy Father, make us one in Christ, rooted in his love that unites and renews. May all members of the Church be united in mission, docile to the Holy Spirit, courageous in bearing witness to the Gospel, proclaiming and daily embodying your faithful love for all creatures. Bless all missionary men and women, support them in their efforts, and watch over them in hope! Mary, Queen of Missions, accompany our work of evangelization in every corner of the earth: make us instruments of peace, and grant that the whole world may recognize in Christ the light that saves. Amen.”

(For photos from Bishop Kopacz’s trip to Saltillo, see page 7 of Mississippi Catholic or visit https://jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com.)