Vatican City (Fides Service) - On Friday 21 February at the Holy See's Press Office Pope John Paul II's message for Word Mission Sunday, (this year October 19) was presented to the public. The message was presented by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, with Archbishop Robert Sarah and Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, respectively, secretary and secretary adjunct of the congregation, the latter is also President of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Henceforth the Message for Mission Sunday will be made public on the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus (second Sunday after Christmas), instead of Pentecost Sunday (celebrated as the beginning of the Church's mission) to give more time for in-depth preparation on the theme chosen by the Pope and to ensure that mission becomes part of ordinary pastoral attention in every diocese. Presenting the Message Cardinal Sepe pointed out that Mission Sunday this year will coincide three important dates: the 25th anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II, the Beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the closing of the Year of the Rosary. "With this in mind the Holy Father wished for the Rosary Prayer to be the theme of reflection for World Mission Sunday" said the Cardinal. The year of the Rosary, the Pope says is "to be lived under the loving gaze of the Woman who, according to the divine plan, with her <yes> made possible the salvation of mankind". The aims of the Pope's Message are three: a Church more contemplative, more holy and more missionary. See Mission Sunday Message 2003 in different languages at www.fides.org. SL (Fides Service 27/2/2003 19 LINES; 285 WORDS)