The Archdiocese of Chicago to Observe National Migration Week, September 19 – 25, 2022
Chicago, (Sept. 15, 2022) – In observance of National Migration Week, Sept. 19 – 25, 2022, the parishes and Immigration Ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago will host events throughout the week celebrating Chicagoland’s diverse Catholic community. In solidarity with the Vatican, this year’s theme is “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees.” National Migration Week culminates on Sunday, Sept. 25 with a 5:15 p.m. Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago. Auxiliary Bishop Robert Casey, vicar general of the archdiocese, will preside over the Mass that will begin with a procession of nations representing 25 countries and feature readings and prayers in languages including English, Spanish, Polish, Malayalam (a language spoken in India), Italian, Luganda (a language spoken in central Uganda), Vietnamese, Tagalog, Swahili, and Bahasa (a language spoken in Indonesia). The Mass will be live-streamed and a link will be available on our website the week of Sept.19.
“As Christians, we are called to welcome the stranger, the refugee, the marginalized and displaced persons, because they are children of God,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “As our sacred text states, ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.’ (Leviticus 19:33–34). Each migrant has a name, a face and a story and, as they arrive in our archdiocese let us continue to welcome them with peace and fraternity.”
In his message for the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022, Pope Francis said, “God’s plan is essentially inclusive and gives priority to those living on the existential peripheries. Among them are many migrants and refugees, displaced persons, and victims of trafficking. The Kingdom of God is to be built with them, for without them it would not be the Kingdom that God wants. The inclusion of those most vulnerable is the necessary condition for full citizenship in God’s Kingdom.”
The Holy Father adds that no one must be excluded and that “the arrival of Catholic migrants and refugees can energize the ecclesial life of the communities that welcome them. Often they bring an enthusiasm that can revitalize our communities and enliven our celebrations. Sharing different expressions of faith and devotions offers us a privileged opportunity for experiencing more fully the catholicity of the People of God.”
For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, as an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and survivors of human trafficking.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops encourages Catholic communities to come together as a universal Church to welcome immigrants and refugees in local parishes, dioceses and broader communities to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants and to pray for and act on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking and to stand in solidarity with them.
The Archdiocese of Chicago’s National Pastoral Migratoria (Immigrant Social Ministry) has coordinated a comprehensive effort with other U.S. dioceses which have Pastoral Migratoria to raise awareness about National Migratoria Week. Pastoral Migratoria leaders in these dioceses that include New York, Baltimore, Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo., and Stockton, Calif., are coordinating events in their local areas. Masses in observance of National Migration Week will also be celebrated in the archdioceses of Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
More information about events in the Archdiocese of Chicago and other dioceses observing National Migration Week, as well as resources to organize an event at your parish, can be found here: https://pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignity-solidarity/immigration-ministry/national-migration-week
