The Archdiocese of Yangon celebrated World Mission Sunday a day early on October 18, 2025, with a vibrant gathering of over 1,500 children at St. Mark Catholic Church in Yemon Village. The event, uniting young faithful from 32 parishes, emphasized the role of youth as missionaries of hope.

His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, presided over the Eucharistic Celebration, which began with a traditional dance procession. He was concelebrated by His Excellency Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye, Auxiliary Bishop of Yangon, and Msgr. Andrea Ferrante, the Papal Representative to Myanmar, alongside approximately 15 priests.

In his welcome message, Cardinal Bo expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye, Msgr. Ferrante, the clergy, religious, organizers, and all who contributed to the success of the event. He warmly welcomed the children, emphasizing their vital role as young missionaries of the Church.

Cardinal Bo highlighted that the celebration coincided with the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, who, as a Greek physician and convert, became a faithful missionary of Christ. He reminded the children that every Christian—priests, religious, catechists, and laity alike—is called to be a missionary.

Beside the altar stood an image of Blessed Carlo Acutis, canonized on September 7, 2025, inspiring the young faithful.

In his homily, Cardinal Bo reflected on the short yet exemplary life of the young saint, who died of leukemia at age 15. Born in England to Italian parents on May 3, 1991, Carlo Acutis was a devout youth known for his deep faith, love for the Eucharist, and talent in computer technology.

Cardinal Bo shared the saint’s words: “All people are born originals, but many die as photocopies.” He urged the children not to imitate worldly fame but to seek true happiness in God. “Happiness is looking towards God; sadness is looking towards yourself,” he quoted. The Cardinal encouraged everyone to live in communion with the Lord, following Carlo Acutis’ example of holiness, prayer, and joy.

After the Holy Communion, the children sang a special World Mission Sunday hymn composed by a youth, expressing unity in the Church’s missionary work.

Before the final blessing, Msgr. Andrea Ferrante delivered a heartfelt message, extending the greetings and blessings of Pope Leo XIV. He reminded the faithful that World Mission Sunday unites over a billion Catholics worldwide in prayer and support for missionaries.

Reading the Pope’s message, Msgr. Ferrante said, “On World Mission Sunday, the whole Church prays, united, particularly for missionaries and the fruitfulness of their apostolic labors.” He emphasized the importance of prayer, solidarity, and generosity in supporting mission territories and expressed gratitude to the children for their commitment to spreading the Gospel.

He further reminded that the presence of missionaries is a sign of Christ’s love for humanity, especially for the poor and the marginalized, and encouraged the young faithful to be “Missionaries of Hope Among the People,” echoing the theme of Pope Francis for this year’s celebration.

“Happiness is looking towards God; sadness is looking towards yourself,” the Cardinal continued, encouraging the young congregation to emulate Carlo Acutis’s deep faith and joy in the Eucharist.

The large-scale event, organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of the archdiocese, required significant collaboration. Rev. Fr. James Kyaw Lin Htun, the Diocesan Director of PMS, extended thanks to clergy, parents, health workers, media partners, and donors in a post-mass address.

A young parishioner, Ms. Susan, expressed her community’s pride in hosting the archdiocesan event, calling it “a moment of pride and grace.”

In his closing remarks, Rev. Fr. Stephen Chit Thein, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Society, reminded the children that mission work extends beyond preaching. It is fulfilled, he said, through prayer, exemplary living, and acts of generosity.

World Mission Sunday, officially observed on the third Sunday of October, serves as a global moment for Catholics to renew their support for the Church’s evangelizing mission. The Yangon celebration stood as a vivid testament to the missionary zeal burning within its youngest faithful.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service