Solidarity through Prayer and Public Witness

As threats of family separation, detention, and deportation rise, people of faith across the country are coming together to publicly stand with migrant and refugee communities. The Missionaries of Hope Toolkit and related Rosary resources equip individuals, parishes, and dioceses with everything they need to organize prayerful, public witness rooted in Catholic teaching. Please pray for migrants and their families, and let us know what you are doing at notalone@usccb.org.

How to Prepare a Faith Rally and Vigil to Stand with Migrants

In moments of crisis and division, we are called to unite in hope and solidarity. As threats of family separation, detention, and deportation rise, people of faith across the country are coming together to publicly stand with immigrant and refugee communities. The Missionaries of Hope Toolkit, developed in partnership with Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops/Justice for Immigrants and Hope Border Institute equips individuals, parishes, and dioceses with everything they need to organize prayerful, public witness rooted in Catholic teaching. Please consider hosting a vigil for migrants in your diocese or parish and let us know about it when you do!

Pray the Rosary

Many immigrants living in the United States today live in fear of what the future might bring. In this moment of extreme uncertainty and isolation, we turn to our faith and to Mary for strength, compassion, and protection. The rosary is a powerful prayer that we can use both individually and collectively to strengthen our resolve in times of trouble and as a source of guidance. The following resources can help to guide you and your community as you pray the rosary together:

A Rosary for Vulnerable Migrant Populations – Many migrants living in the United States today live in fear of what the future might bring. In this moment of extreme uncertainty and isolation, we turn to our faith and to Mary for strength, compassion, and protection. This guide will show you how to pray the resource, with a particular intention for migrant populations who are facing difficult times. (English; Spanish)

Praying the Rosary with the Stories of Immigrants – In this prayer resource, we invite you to focus on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary, featuring the mysteries of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. As we pray we will offer our prayers and solidarity with immigrants and refugees across the United States who have faced hardship and received the help of one of the organizations in the CLINIC network. (Read more)

A Model for Prayer and Public Witness

The Diocese of El Paso Procession and Prayer Service

On March 24 of this year, El Pasoans gathered together and conducted a procession from Jacinto Plaza to Sacred Heart Church, where local religious leaders spoke out against the aggressive nature of the current administration’s actions against the poor and migrant populations living among them. According to one report, “Bishop Seitz told the standing room-only crowd that the Trump administration was leading a war on the poor, and that an attack on immigrants is an attack on the family of God. He added that this was not a time for neighbors to be cowed or intimidated.” This event functioned as a public display of support for marginalized populations and provides a model that other diocese can and have followed in more recent months. Please consider organizing a similar event in your diocese and let us know if you do. For more information on these kinds of initiatives in dioceses across the country, please see the following: