National Migration Week

Mother with girl on her shoulders.

From September 23-29, 2024, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates National Migration Week, culminating with the celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), which is Sunday, September 29. This year's theme is "God walks with his people," which serves as a reminder that God consistently accompanies his people, guiding and providing for them, much like he did for the Israelites.

“Like the people of Israel in the time of Moses, migrants often flee from oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of opportunities for development. Similar to the Jews in the desert, migrants encounter many obstacles in their path: they are tried by thirst and hunger; they are exhausted by toil and disease; they are tempted by despair," said Pope Francis in this year's WDMR message. "Yet, the fundamental reality of the Exodus, of every exodus, is that God precedes and accompanies his people and all his children in every time and place. God’s presence in the midst of the people is a certainty of salvation history,"

There are currently more than 117 million people around the world who have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to political instability, violence, or other reasons. (Source: UNHCR)

Read the pope's full message for the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees:

Prayer from Pope Francis

God, Almighty Father,
we are your pilgrim Church
journeying towards the kingdom of heaven.
We live in our homeland but as if we were foreigners.
Every foreign place is our home, yet every native land is foreign to us.
Though we live on earth, our true citizenship is in heaven.
Do not let us become possessive
of the portion of the world you have given us as a temporary home.
Help us to keep walking, together with our migrant brothers and sisters,
toward the eternal dwelling you have prepared for us.
Open our eyes and our hearts so that every encounter with those in need
becomes an encounter with Jesus, your Son and our Lord. Amen.

Ways to commemorate National Migration Week

  • Inquire at Catholic Charities Maine about volunteer opportunities, including teaching English to newcomers.
  • Join in cultural celebrations hosted by parishes.
  • Use social media to help educate family members and friends about the importance of supporting members of the refugee / immigrant community.
  • Pray that God will inspire all Christians to support and protect migrants and to advocate on their behalf.
  • Pray for all refugees who are forced to flee from their homes, that God bring peace to them, their families, and their country of origin.

Intercessory Prayers for Migrants

  • For all bishops in our Church, that they may be encouraged by our prayers and support to lead God’s people in building a culture that respects the human dignity of all migrants, we pray to the Lord,
  • For all Catholics, that God inspire them to take action in their local communities to support and protect migrants and to advocate on their behalf, we pray to the Lord,
  • For unaccompanied migrant children, that God protect them on their journey and safely reunite them with their families, we pray to the Lord,
     
  • For our neighbors, coworkers, friends, fellow Christians, and all people, that they may grow in their awareness of the issue of migration and become a voice in the public square calling for greater protections for these populations, we pray to the Lord,
     
  • For migrant workers, that they may labor in safe and just conditions, and that we who benefit from their labor may be truly grateful for what they provide, we pray to the Lord.
     
  • For migrants, refugees, and all other strangers in our midst, that they may find strength in our concern for justice and feel the warmth of our love, we pray to the Lord.

Intercessory Prayers for Refugees

  • For the bishops, that they will continue in their commitment to refugee resettlement and provide in their communities a place of welcome, we pray to the Lord,
  • For all refugees who are forced to flee from their homes, that God bring peace to them and their country of origin, we pray to the Lord,
     
  • For refugees in Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere who are experiencing great suffering, that God might bring them to a place of peace and safety, we pray to the Lord,
     
  • For refugee children, who have been separated by their family due to circumstance or death, that God will provide his protection, we pray to the Lord,
     
  • For an end to all strife and persecution that gives rise to refugee crises, we pray to the Lord

Resources: