Rome (Italy). On 6 January 2026, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, the manifestation of Jesus to all peoples, World Missionary Children’s Day is celebrated. It was once called World Missionary Childhood Day. (GMMR).
“Let us Light Hope” is the theme of the Day, in line with the Jubilee Year which ends on January 6th, with the closing of the last Holy Door of St. Peter’s. Even boys and girls are called to reflect on this virtue firsthand, as protagonists.
“Children helping children” is the underlying meaning of the Day of Prayer and Solidarity that children around the world celebrate, thinking of their peers from other continents.
The GMMR calls for prayer and solidarity towards young people living on other continents, often in need. Every year for the GMMR, the National General Directorates of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PP.OO.MM) choose some projects that are carried out in solidarity with children around the world. The offerings collected on the World Missionary Day of Children (GMMR) and the World Missionary Day (which is celebrated on the penultimate Sunday of October) are included in the Universal Solidarity Fund (FUS) of the Pontifical Mission Societies (POM).
Pope Francis, in his Message for World Mission Day 2025, urged active participation in the evangelizing mission at any age:
“I continue to insist on this missionary synodality of the Church, as well as on the service of the Pontifical Mission Societies in promoting the missionary responsibility of the baptized and supporting the new local Churches. And I urge all of you, children, young people, adults, the elderly, to actively participate in the common evangelizing mission with the testimony of your life and with prayer, with your sacrifices and your generosity. Thank you from my heart for this!”
Given the coincidence with Epiphany, the Pope allows individual parishes/dioceses to celebrate the Day on the date best suited to their needs.
As every year, the Missio Ragazzi Secretariat (Missio Foundation – CEI) has created and makes available some animation resources for the Day, in order to help educators and animators involve children and young people.
