Evangelii Gaudium Sunday is celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in September. We proclaim the unique message of the Gospel that brings joy to all people who receive it with an open heart.
A Call to Mission in England and Wales
In 2013, the first year of his pontificate, Pope Francis released an Apostolic Exhortation on the joy of the Gospel titled Evangelii Gaudium. In it, he encouraged the Christian faithful to “embark on a new chapter of evangelisation” marked by this joy, whilst striving to find new paths to proclaim the Gospel in today’s world.
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.
Evangelii Gaudium, §14
This is the challenge and opportunity we take up on Evangelii Gaudium Sunday. Formerly known as Home Mission Sunday, Evangelii Gaudium Sunday is celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in September.
The work of encounter and evangelisation is promoted through the Directorate for Mission. Through this directorate, the vision of the Holy Father is embraced in a fuller way and promotes the whole ideal of proclamation, evangelisation, dialogue and catechesis.
Growing as missionary disciples
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 will 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.
For this year's Evangelii Gaudium Sunday, we have resources including prayers, messages, a refection on missionary discipleship, and more.
The Third Sunday in September, formerly called Home Mission Sunday, is now Evangelii Gaudium Sunday.
Evangelii Gaudium Sunday is named after Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel, the day offers the Catholic community in England and Wales the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of our faith and our commitment to witness to the fullness of life in Christ.
