The Third Sunday in September, formerly called Home Mission Sunday, is now Evangelii Gaudium Sunday. Named after Pope Francis’ first (solo) Apostolic Exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel, the day offers the Catholic community in England and Wales the opportunity to be joyous in proclaiming the faith – seeking new ways of understanding the faith and reaching out to others.
This year, Evangelii Gaudium Sunday will be celebrated in our parishes on 15 September 2024. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on the great mandate we have been given by the Risen Lord to evangelise the whole world. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” the Lord commissions, as we hear in Matthew 28: 19.
Inspired by our ongoing Synodal process, Scripture, and Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, we have chosen the theme ‘Growing as missionary disciples’. On the day itself, we can encourage the faithful to pray for our parish communities, that they would become intentionally missionary in their life and witness.
Here you will find resources to celebrate the day. A second collection may also be taken on Evangelii Gaudium Sunday to support the work of the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate. Please hold this important work in your prayers.
Read more about ‘What is Evangelii Gaudium Sunday?’ at: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/evangelii-gaudium-sunday/.
“We cannot forget that evangelisation is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him. Many of these are quietly seeking God, led by a yearning to see his face… Christians have the duty to proclaim the Gospel without excluding anyone.”
