One in Christ, United in Mission

In September 2025, the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Toronto was re-launched with Fr. Paul Johnston, a missionary priest with the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), invited to be the director. Fr. Paul brings with him more than 30 years of lived missionary experience in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Canada, which has helped him to have a good understanding of what mission is. He reflects upon the meaning and importance of October’s Mission Month and World Mission Sunday, celebrated on October 18.

Mission Month: The Church is Missionary

Rooted in the great commission of the apostles to “…go and make disciples of all nations…” (cf. Mt. 28:19), the Church is missionary and the Mission Month of October is a special moment to pause in the liturgical year, and, through prayer, reflection, and concrete action, reconnect with this fundamental call of our Church to be missionary wherever we find ourselves. We cannot separate being missionary from being Christian.

Fr. Paul Johnston, pictured with a group of orphans in Cebu, Philippines, along with the sisters who run the orphanage.

World Mission Sunday: A Centenary Celebration

Coordinated by the Propagation of Faith, World Mission Sunday aims to foster awareness and support for the missionary work of the Universal Church around the world, especially in mission territories, where the seed of the Gospel continues to be planted and nourished.

This year, World Mission Sunday celebrates 100 years since its inauguration in 1926 by Pope Pius XI. The theme chosen by Pope Leo XIV to celebrate this momentous event is, “One in Christ, United in Mission.” On World Mission Sunday, we celebrate the cultural diversity of the Church and participate in her mission as a sign of unity and solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world.

On this significant day, the faithful are asked to provide financial support for the work of the Holy Father in continuing to support emerging churches around the world and to pray for missionaries serving the People of God in mission territories, both locally and abroad.

Mission Month and World Mission Sunday are opportune moments of thanksgiving for the richness we find in the Church today. It is a day during which we give thanks and pray for those serving in mission territories and pray for an increase in missionary vocations as well as for all the faithful that we may have a missionary zeal as we actively that we may truly be “One in Christ, United in Mission.”