Bishop Mauricio Jardim launches 2026 Month of Mission program

Bishop Mauricio Jardim of Rondonópolis-Guiratinga, president of the CNBB Missionary Action Commission, presented the 2026 Month of Mission program on September 29. The initiative marks the centenary of Pope Pius X's establishment of World Mission Day in 1926. The campaign, observed throughout October, seeks to raise awareness of the Church's universal mission, emphasizing prayer, material assistance, and the sending of missionaries. The theme for 2026 is 'One in Christ, united in mission' with the motto 'That all may be one' (John 17:21). The program highlights three elements of missionary life: unity with Christ, living the mission, and carrying it out in love.

Bishop Jardim stresses that all baptized individuals share responsibility for missionary activity, as affirmed by Pope Leo XIV. The Month of Mission includes a collection on the final weekend of October, supporting 1,118 dioceses worldwide. Funds collected through envelopes distributed during October will be directed to the Dicastery for Evangelization to assist needy local churches. The official opening takes place on September 30 at 6 p.m. and October 1 at 9 a.m. at the National Sanctuary of Aparecida, with live broadcasts on the Aparecida Network and CNBB's YouTube channel.

Visual identity and theme materials will be projected on the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro on October 1. The campaign invites local churches to adopt the materials and conduct their own opening events. The bishop calls for intercession from Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, urging believers to embody Christ's mandate to 'go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature' (Mark 16:15).