Malawi: Pontifical Mission Society Urges Inclusion of Children in Mission to Boost Church’s Purpose of Changing Lives

The officials said that being united in mission requires children to have love in their hearts, a love they said should flow from Jesus Christ. 

The officials said that being united in mission also requires that the Children embrace the virtue of humility.

“Being United in Mission requires that a child be humble. Not selfish or isolated, or thinking that he can do everything by himself. Even if a person has many talents, the  Ministry still requires being with others,” they said, and added, “All these teach us that children should be dependent on each other. Unity in Service is what Jesus Christ wants.”

The officials said that children should learn to participate in various tasks in the church, saying that being united in service also means that they show love for Jesus and his Church by doing different tasks for their age in the Church.

“Children should be taught to participate in religious activities, cleaning inside and outside the church, visiting their fellow children or grandparents who are sick or in need. Serving and working in this way shows love for the Lord Jesus and shows that we are united in our service,” they said.

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They added, “Our unity will be seen in working together, helping each other in our physical and spiritual needs, praying for each other, forgiving each other when we sin against each other, and in serving together, such as singing in the choir, dancing at the altar, among others.”

Children should learn to communicate well with people around them and even those from other churches to promote unity and unity in ministry, the officials said in their message on Epiphany Sunday, which marked the end of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year.

They said that children should also take good examples from their parents, siblings, church elders, and teachers, further urging adults to set good examples for children so that they can learn to do ministry in unity with the adults they have at home.

“Children should serve. Children should understand that they are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ today, seeking to serve all people throughout the world,” they said.

The PMS office in Malawi also unveiled the theme for the 2026 Holy Childhood Day as “Being One with Jesus Christ and United in Mission or Walking together in their mission as Children”.

In the message on the Epiphany Sunday, the PMS officials said that the theme offers Church elders, parents, and teachers an opportunity to recognize the importance of nurturing children to grow as committed Christians and responsible citizens of the world through the Eucharist and the teachings of the Church.

The officials also urged parents to ensure that children love to read the Holy Scriptures in their homes, serve church in various ways and also teach children to help others, especially those in need.

They said that teachers of the children should have enough time at all meetings to be able to teach children adequately. Among other things, they said children should be taught to love to pray, to worship the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist and to love to read the Holy Scriptures.

They said that Priests, and Nuns should teach children about the importance of the Holy Scriptures and help them read them correctly and correctly, with meditation so that children can benefit more than ever.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.