RTÉ Sunday Mass to be broadcast from Thurles Cathedral
RTÉ are to broadcast Mass from Thurles for the centenary year of World Mission Sunday, where Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA, Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, will be the chief celebrant
Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA, Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, will be the chief celebrant for the centenary Mass of World Mission Sunday.
The liturgy will be televised live by RTÉ One at 11am this Sunday, 18 October, from the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles,.
The theme for World Mission Sunday this year is ‘One in Christ, United in Mission.’
World Mission Sunday is the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV’s annual appeal for spiritual and financial support so that the life-giving work of overseas mission and missionaries can continue. This annual collection that takes place at Masses in Ireland and throughout the universal Church helps to support struggling dioceses in the developing world by assisting the work of missionaries in poor and remote communities.
The funds raised help build vital infrastructure, including churches, medical clinics, nurseries and schools. In Ireland, in 2025, the Mission Sunday collection amounted to €1,360,971.
Looking forward to this Sunday’s broadcast of the World Mission Sunday Mass from the Cathedral, Archbishop O’Reilly said, “This centenary year for World Mission Sunday is a special year for missionaries and for the communities that they serve. As a former missionary, I have always been grateful for the prayers and generosity of people across Ireland in support of our brothers and sisters on the mission. Thankfully, this deep well of support has always been part of our national character.”
In Ireland, Mission Ireland serves as the Irish branch of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the Holy Father’s official charity for overseas mission. Each national director is appointed by the Pope, and in Ireland this is Father Michael Kelly SPS.
According to Father Kelly, “Wherever the Church is present, we are there, meaning that we can reach out across five continents to support over 1,100 mission dioceses. I ask parishioners across the island to give what they can at the Mass collection for missionaries this Sunday. Your help means so much to so many. You can also donate to Missio Ireland on +353 (1) 4972035, by sending a cheque or postal order to Missio Ireland, 64 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin, D06 N2H1, or by clicking here. Thank you.”
2026 also marks 110 years of the Pontifical Missionary Union, one of the four member societies of the Pontifical Mission Societies.