Missionary Childhood 2026 “Your life, a mission”
At the beginning of each year, we are still enveloped in the light and joy that the Christmas season leaves behind. In December, we celebrate with grateful hearts the great mystery of a God who does not remain distant, but comes into our lives, becomes close, small, child, to walk with us. His birth returns to reminding us that we are not alone, that we are deeply loved, and that He enters into our world to transform it from within. That presence of God made Child impels us to look at life with renewed hope. And is from this gratitude that the Church invites us to live the Missionary Childhood 2026, whose motto—“Your life, a mission”—resonates like a call to discover that every child is a gift to the world, bearing a purpose, a light, and a responsibility.
God trusts you
Missionary Childhood is not simply an annual campaign; it is a way of understanding that God trusts in the ability of the little ones to bring joy, peace, and faith wherever they are. Jesus, who was also a child, teaches us that all have a precious role to play in the story of God's love. The mission does not begin when we become adults: it begins today, in the heart of the family, at school, among friends.
Every act of kindness, every encouraging word, every simple prayer said with love is already a mission in action. God has placed a unique gift in every child that can change the lives of others, even those who live far away and whom we do not know.
"Your life, a mission": a motto for walking together.
This year's motto reminds us that mission is not something added on, but part of our identity. It is not just about doing things, but about being what God dreamed for us: instruments of peace, sowers of joy, friends of Jesus who help more children around the world to know Him and feel accompanied by Him. In a world where many children suffer from poverty, loneliness, or lack of opportunities, Missionary Childhood teaches us to look beyond our surroundings. It encourages us to share, pray for others, and work together so that all children can live with dignity and hope. Every euro shared, every sincere prayer, and every gesture of solidarity becomes a bridge of love that reaches places where the light of hope seems weakest.
Being a missionary in everyday life
A mission begins with small things: helping at home, welcoming those who feel at school, collaborating in the parish, caring for creation, thanking God every day for the gifts he gives us... All these actions, lived with love, make our life truly missionary. Thus, every child can respond to Jesus' call by saying: "Here I am, Lord. My life is yours. Make it a mission of love."
The mission shared in community
At Cabrini School, this call is lived in a special way. Every gesture of help, every prayer, and every show of affection among classmates speaks of a missionary spirit that grows in community. And this shared journey leads us, as it does every year, to one of the most significant celebrations of the month of January: the Act for Peace. This year, under the slogan "Weaving Paths of Peace," the entire community gathered in the courtyard to remember that peace is not something abstract, but a task diary that we build together. Weaving paths of peace means joining our lives together like threads that form a strong, multicolored, and hopeful fabric.
A gesture that welcomes and sends forth: the placing of scarves
During the Peace Ceremony, we experienced one of the most heartwarming and symbolic moments of the school year: the official welcome of the 3-year-olds to Cabrini School.
During this celebration, the little ones receive a scarf with the school's coat of arms, a sign of belonging, friendship, and protection. The most beautiful thing is that this scarf is worn by students in their second year of high school, who are about to complete their school career.
This gesture brings two generations together in the same embrace: those who are beginning to discover what it means to be part of the Cabrini family, and those who are about to open a new chapter in their lives. It symbolizes that at Cabrini School, the mission is passed on, life is accompanied, and peace is built together. The older students encourage the younger ones to grow with enthusiasm; the younger ones remind the older ones of the joy of beginning.
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