What's your mission?

Recaps: 'Bring God's light into the world by serving one another.'

Source: Missio

As World Mission Sunday - the one day in the year when the entire global Church comes together in support of mission - approaches, a social media campaign is captivating hearts and minds around the world by asking: 'What's your mission?'

Thousands of people from Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia-Pacific have joined the movement, expressing what it is they feel they were put on this earth to do, using the hashtags #MyMission and #OurMissionand sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.

Missio, the Pope's chosen charity for world mission, is joining with its international network to share this simple and unifying message. The #MyMission campaign asks a straightforward question; one that we might think about frequently but find difficult to express.

Pope Francis has declared October 2019 to be an Extraordinary Month of Mission (EMM2019), with a focus entirely on celebrating works of mission around the world. So, there's no better time for each of us to put into words what our own mission here on earth is. And as we approach the canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman this weekend, we can reflect on his words:

'God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission.'

To commemorate the occasion, Missio's diocesan offices are hosting special events throughout the month. At national level, EMM2019is a central part of Missio's fundraising and formation work in schools and parishes. Initiatives like #MyMission aim to ignite an understanding in people of all ages of the role they play in mission. And countless people and organisations have joined in, sharing photos, videos and messages online about their missions.

The theme for the Extraordinary Missionary Month is 'Baptised and Sent', which Pope Francis says sums up the call to be missionary in our daily lives as Catholics: 'Celebrating this month will help us first to rediscover the missionary dimension of our faith in Jesus Christ, a faith graciously bestowed on us in Baptism…. This divine life is not a product for sale, but a treasure to be given, communicated and proclaimed: that is the meaning of mission.'

Fr Anthony Chantry, Missio's National Director, says: ''I have seen the work of mission in many countries in Africa and Asia, where there is a host of young and dynamic Catholic communities committed to following Jesus Christ. We must not make the mistake of assuming that mission abroad has no place in our modern world.'

People from around the world are joining together to give, communicate and proclaim the treasure that is their mission in the world. You can view their stories on Facebook, using the hashtag #MyMission, or by visiting Missio's website to see the online Mission Wall.

For more information on the Extraordinary Missionary Month, see: www.missio.org.uk/emm

World Mission Sunday falls on the 20 October. This year Missio's focus is on Sister Clara in India, who has dedicated her life to helping vulnerable girls,giving them the skills to break free from exploitation and abuse.

In India, child trafficking and child labour is the reality for around 12 million children. This tragic statistic is staggering; however, it would be far worse without the presence of the Catholic Church.

Through their devotion and faith, the Sisters help the children to see their worth as a beloved child of God: 'We always give them the confidence that Jesus loves them.'

Once rescued, the girls are provided with a loving, safe home, where the Sisters give them an education, medical care, spiritual formation and counselling.

For more information visit the Missio website: www.missio.org.uk