World Day of Migrants and Refugees: 27 September

After they had left, see, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Get up. Take the child and his mother, flee into Egypt and stay there until I tell you, for Herod intends to search for the child to destroy him.' So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother by night, left for Egypt. Matt 2:13-15

 'Forced like Jesus Christ to flee'

World Day of Migrants and Refugees 27 September 2020

This day we pray for all internally displaced persons who like Jesus Christ, are forced to flee. Let us be welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating those who are on the journey with us.

 Read the message for this day from Pope Francis HERE

Image by Jean-Francois Millet, ca.1864 The flight into Egypt

An Immigrant Prayer

Dear Jesus,
our journey through life is long and hard.
We cannot make this trip alone;
we must walk together on the journey.
You promised to send us a helper, your Spirit.
Help us to see your Spirit in those you send to journey with us.
In the refugee family, seeking safety from violence, let us see your Spirit.
In the migrant worker, bringing food to our tables, let us see your Spirit.
In the asylum seeker, seeking justice for himself and his family, let us see your Spirit.
In the unaccompanied child, traveling in a dangerous world, let us see your Spirit.
Teach us to recognise that as we walk with each other, you are present.
Teach us to welcome not only the strangers in our midst but the gifts they bring as well:
the invitation to conversion, communion, and solidarity.
This is the help you have sent:
we are not alone.
We are together on the journey,
and for this we give you thanks. Amen.

From Irish Catholic Bishops Conference. More HERE

More background at International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) HERE

Image on main slider 'Flight into Egypt' by James Tissot.