News Releases

Chicago - (Dec. 15, 2021) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will host the 16th annual Posada for Immigration Reform on Friday, Dec. 17 beginning at 11 a.m., outside the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Center, 101 W. Ida B. Wells Dr. and continue its route to four locations throughout Chicago’s Loop.

Modeled on a centuries-old tradition of posada throughout Mexico, Guatemala and in immigrant communities in the United States, the archdiocese’s Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity-Immigration Ministry sponsors the one-mile pilgrimage symbolizing Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, traveling from place to place seeking rest and shelter before the birth of Jesus Christ. Today’s immigrants, like the Holy Family, are vulnerable, seek shelter and protection from turmoil but often face rejection.

“The spirit of the posada calls us to be in communion with the stranger and the immigrant, and to have open hearts and minds and not to be indifferent to their plight,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “We will continue to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform to protect the dignity and lives of those seeking refuge from any form of violence, poverty, persecution and oppression.”

Participants will include members of Priests for Justice for Immigrants, Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants and Archdiocese of Chicago’s parishes, schools, and immigration ministries. Community members are also encouraged to join in walking and praying for immigrants. This year, Pastoral Migratoria, the immigration social ministry of the Archdiocese of New York, will lead its posada simultaneously throughout the Bronx in solidarity. Pastoral Migratoria of New York will synchronize its prayers, songs and reflections to mirror the Archdiocese of Chicago and elevate the voices for immigration reform.  

Chicago’s posada will stop at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, DePaul University, Federal Plaza and St. Peter’s Church in the Loop. Each stop will include special prayers, songs and reflections.

Following the posada, a press conference will be held at Holy Name Cathedral. Participating in the press conference will be:

• members of the Immigration Ministry Network,
• Priests for Justice for Immigrants, with 200 member priests,
• Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants, made up of 54 religious orders,
• Archdiocese of Chicago Immigration Parish Coordinators that includes 127 native-born parishes in the archdiocese,
• Pastoral Migratoria of the Archdiocese of Chicago, that includes 40 Hispanic parishes, and
• Polish Immigrant to Immigrant Ministry, comprised of 10 Polish parishes.

Press conference participants will discuss key immigration obstacles affecting the lives of immigrants and refugees and the long-overdue policy measures that must be enacted by the current administration. The Immigration Ministry Network will also launch an action campaign that will include prayer, expanded education to the Catholic community, visits with elected officials, and other advocacy efforts.

Locations and estimated times:

11 a.m.            United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Center, 101 W. Ida B. Wells Dr.

11:25 a.m.       Stop #1: Metropolitan Correctional Center, 71 W. Van Buren St. 

11:40 a.m.       Stop #2: DePaul University downtown campus, 1 E. Jackson Blvd.

11:55 a.m.       Stop #3: Federal Plaza, corner of South Dearborn Street and West Adams Street

12:05 p.m.       Stop #4: St. Peter’s Church, 110 W. Madison St.

1 p.m.              Immigration reform press conference, Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St.

Since May 2005, the Archdiocese of Chicago with its bishops, priests and religious congregations has been a voice for immigrants through the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform. The campaign was established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to educate Catholics and the public about the need for comprehensive immigration reform and to encourage legislation for a permanent and fair solution to immigration issues in this country.

For more information about the posada, please visit https://pvm.archchicago.org/xvi-annual-posada.