On 3rd October 2026, the Catholic Church in the country gathered at Mzuzu Stadium in the Diocese of Mzuzu to celebrate the National Centenary of World Mission Sunday with joy and thanksgiving.
The occasion marked one hundred years since Pope Pius XI instituted World Mission Sunday in 1926, inviting the entire Church to unite in prayer, sacrifice, and generosity for the spread of the Gospel.
With the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission”, the celebration was both a moment of gratitude and a call to renewed missionary zeal.
In his address, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and President for Pontifical Mission Societies under the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), His Lordship Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, reminded bishops, priests, religious, and the faithful that missionary renewal begins at home.
Bishop Mwakhwawa emphasized that every parish should become a community of prayer, sustaining vocations and missionary endeavours through the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and family devotions.
Bishop Mwakhwawa highlighted that prayers and missionary animation through World Mission Sunday have contributed to the growth of diocesan priests, religious sisters, and parishes across Malawi.
“These 100 years of World Mission Sunday should remind Christians of the importance of prayer, sacrifice, and generous contributions to our Church. We now have many parishes, schools, and hospitals, all built through the support of Christians in other countries via World Mission Sunday collections,” he said.
The Papal Envoy, Monsignor Fih Anh Nhue Nguyen, Secretary for the Pontifical Mission Society for Union, applauded the lay faithful in Malawi for their role in supporting the missionary work of the Church.
He encouraged Christians to remain committed to carrying out God’s mission, echoing Pope Leo XIV’s message that every believer has a role to play.
“I am truly happy for your generous contributions through World Mission Sunday collections. Rise up and shine, as a local Church you have a role to play in supporting the missionary work of the whole Church,” Monsignor Nguyen declared.
He also pointed to the launch of a five‑year strategic plan for diocesan priests as an important step towards strengthening the Church’s missionary, vocational, and developmental efforts.
The National PMS Director, Father Peter Madeya, further commended the faithful for their contributions through World Mission Sunday and urged Christians to continue supporting the Pontifical Mission Societies so that the mission work can fully sustain the Church in all aspects.
On behalf of the laity, National Laity Chairperson Hastings Duwe acknowledged the role World Mission Sunday has played in the life of Christians in Malawi, strengthening prayer life, contributions, and missionary work.
He called on Christians to reflect on how best they can continue to support the Church, focusing on the three pillars of World Mission Sunday, prayer, generous support, and evangelization.
The expansion of parishes across all dioceses reflects this wider development. 1926, 17 parishes were established, in 1927–1951, 23 parishes were established, 1952–1976, 73 additional parishes were established, in 1977–2001, 23 other parishes were established, and from 2002–2026, 76 parishes have been established.
From just 17 parishes in 1926, Malawi now has 217 parishes by 2026, a testament to the role World Mission Sunday, through the Pontifical Mission Society of the Propagation of Faith, has played in the growth of the Catholic Church in Malawi.
By Titus Jata Phiri