2026 National Migration Week: September 21-27

This year, National Migration Week takes place September 21 – 27 and culminates with the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) on the last Sunday of the month. The primary theme for this year’s WDMR is “Even just one of these children,” which is a reference to Matthew 18:5: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” In a statement released by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, it notes that the theme ““With this choice, the Holy Father intends to express the Church’s concern for minors directly involved in migration, recalling the duty to welcome each one of them as the Gospel teaches us.”

Here is a link to this year’s WDMR message from Pope Leo. Please take an opportunity to reflect on his words and share widely to colleagues and friends who might be interested in doing the same.

In solidarity with the Holy Father, National Migration Week is using the same theme as WDMR and emphasizes the ways in which this theme and its application to the migration question is important for the Church in the United States. Please use the National Migration Week Toolkit to learn more about the celebration and how you can engage in the Church’s migration related work. Please also use the Prayer Service for events in your parish or local community:

World Day of Migrants and Refugees/National Migration Week Toolkit

The USCCB’s Justice for Immigrants Campaign provides a variety of resources to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees/National Migration Week, including a toolkit. These resources will help educate you on the theme for this years World Day and provide spiritual resources that will help you focus your prayer life on these vulnerable populations.

A National Prayer Service Honoring the Many Journeys that Shaped America

In observance of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, and rooted in the Church’s pastoral mission of welcome, accompaniment, and solidarity, the purpose of this prayer service is to acknowledge and honor the many diverse communities that have journeyed to the United States in search of hope, safety, and opportunity.