POPE FRANCIS MIGRANTS PRAYER A chair for Pope Francis stands in front of "Angels Unawares," a sculpture by Canadian Timothy Schmalz, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 19, 2023. Members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops joined Pope Francis to pray for migrants and refugees around the sculpture, which depicts a boat with 140 figures of migrants from various historical periods and various nations. (CNS photo | Lola Gomez)

In the face of the migrant, we find the face of Christ, the refugee

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From several priest friends in other parts of the United States, I’ve received comments about how children are no longer going to school, families have stopped attending the Holy Eucharist out of fear of being seen, parents have withdrawn their children from sports practices, and even people who avoid going to the supermarket beyond what is strictly necessary. Fear has begun to dictate their lives, isolating them from their communities, their daily activities, and, in some cases, even their faith.

As a priest, I’ve been in ministry for a little over seven months. Situations like this are, frankly, something for which we are not prepared. Neither years of university training nor the books I read taught me what to do when a mother tells me through tears that she can’t send her children to school for fear of deportation, or when an entire family feels that simply stepping out of their home is a risk.

However, even when I don’t always know the perfect answer, I am certain that these souls have been entrusted to me, not only for spiritual care but also to look after their well-being in every sense. And I must emphasize that this fear they face is not just their problem; it is also our challenge as a Church, as Christians, as a community.

Fear does not discriminate. It infiltrates the homes of hardworking families, the eyes of children who fear being separated from their parents, and the endless nights where sleep is replaced by anxiety. For many, this fear is more than an emotion; it’s a constant shadow threatening to strip away their hope. We cannot be indifferent to this reality!

The story of the Holy Family always moves me and invites me to reflect on these situations. Joseph and Mary, faced with imminent danger to their child’s life, fled to Egypt. At that moment, the Son of God became a refugee. As Pope Benedict XVI reminded us, the Messiah Himself experienced the fear of being a foreigner in a strange land. This narrative is not just a piece of the Gospel; it is a living reminder that the plight of migrants is not new. It is a profoundly human experience that demands our compassion and action.


Pope Francis: Their journeys of hope remind us that “our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20).


The challenge we face is not simple, but I believe it is urgent that each of us makes an effort to look beyond statistics and see the people behind them. Every migrant’s face reflects the face of Christ. As a Church, we are called to be a source of hope, to remind these families that they are not alone. As a society, we must resist any narrative that dehumanizes those who have come seeking a dignified life.

I firmly believe that coherence is a demand of our faith. Is it right to applaud political leaders when their policies align with Church Doctrine but to remain silent when other policies contradict those same principles? Our faith cannot be selective. We must be courageous, not only to affirm what is just but also to denounce what contradicts human dignity. Our beliefs cannot become tools of ideology; they must be a guide to truth and love.

To you, who are in the midst of anguish, I want to express that we share your anxieties and fears, no matter where you come from or what your faith may be. This moment of uncertainty does not only affect you and your family; it also affects us as a community. Because standing alongside these families is not just a Christian duty; it is an act of basic humanity. When we treat people as mere numbers or problems to solve, we betray the dignity that God has inscribed in every human being.

Now, illegal immigration is a reality that cannot be ignored and presents ethical, social, and legal challenges. As Catholic teaching states, “every country has the right to protect its borders,” and it is imperative to implement renewed efforts to ensure orderly and fair migration, especially to combat tragedies such as human and drug trafficking, which deeply harm our communities. At the same time, it is important to recognize that the vast majority of those in irregular situations in places like New Jersey (where i reside) are hardworking people committed to the well-being of their families and communities. Many are active members of our churches and reflect values of faith and perseverance.

The families who tremble today at the prospect of deportation are not numbers or statistics! They are our neighbors, our companions in faith, the ones who work in our fields, build our homes, and enrich our communities. At the end of the day, it’s not just about immigration; it’s about people, about mothers, fathers, and children who deserve to be treated with the dignity their humanity confers upon them.

Let our response to this challenge not be one of indifference but of active solidarity. Let us be hope for them! May the fear that inhabits so many families today be countered with our compassion and commitment. And let us always remember that in the face of the migrant, we find the face of Christ, the refugee.

I would like to conclude with the following: Cardinal Dolan spoke about this situation today on The Good News Room, and I think it is important to leave you with the question he posed for reflection: “We know that one day Jesus will ask us: ‘When I was an immigrant (foreigner), did you welcome me?’” And what will our response be?

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever! United in prayer.

In Christ,
Father Sebastian (An immigrant, too)

Father Sebastián Muñoz ن is the Spanish-language editor of The Beacon. He is a parochial vicar at Saint Margaret of Scotland Church, in Morristown, N.J.

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