On 24 March 2026, we will celebrate the 34th Day of Missionary Martyrs, the date on which the Bishop of San Salvador, Monsignor Oscar Romero, was killed while celebrating Holy Mass on 24 March 1980.
“People of Spring” is the theme chosen for this year, inspired by Pope Francis’ message on World Mission Day 2025, in which he urged all those baptised at Easter to be “people of spring,” with a gaze always full of hope to share with everyone, because we believe in Christ and know that death and hatred are not the last words on human existence.
With this invitation, the Pope reminds us that mission is a communal action: the whole Church is called to continue Christ’s mission, overcoming difficulties and weaknesses, driven by His love.On this day, we remember those who chose to take on, together with Him, the cry that rises from humanity, to the point of offering their own lives for it. In 2025, Fides Agency recorded the killing of 17 missionaries worldwide: 10 priests, 2 seminarians, 2 nuns, 2 catechists and one lay person.
For more information, see the full report.
With fasting and contemplation, we offer our prayers for them and with them today, to have the strength to continue the journey of the Kingdom in their footsteps.
