Let us remember migrants, refugees, and the missionary world

In September, there were several initiatives aimed at examining migration not only through statistics and news reports, but also through faces, stories, and people.

On Saturday, September 19, at the Church of Tabor in Codogno, an engaging afternoon of music, speeches, and personal testimonies was held, dedicated to the themes of migration, hospitality, the fight against discrimination, and integration with dignity.

The event was the result of a collaboration between the MCOODV Association, MEIC Lodi, and Umanità Lodigiana, united by a desire to create a space for listening, dialogue, and awareness.

At the piano, Fadi Jebaily accompanied the stories and words of Vito Fiorino, a witness and key figure in concrete acts of solidarity toward those arriving in Lampedusa after crossing the sea in search of safety. Music and personal testimonies intertwined.

The Santa Cabrini Retirement Home in New York celebrated National Migration Week (September 20–26) with a special moment of prayer in honor of migrants and refugees. In line with the theme of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), “Even just one of these children,” there were songs, Scripture readings, prayers, stories, and reflections. The theme, drawn from the one chosen by Pope Leo XIV for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees celebrated on September 27, invites us to reflect on Matthew 18:5: “Whoever welcomes even one of these little ones in my name welcomes me.”

To mark this day, Paraguay hosted a pilgrimage and a Mass on the last weekend of September. 
Cabrini Immigrant Services NYC embraced the theme of the Day by welcoming Carmen (name changed) and her two children when they no longer knew where to turn. The team immediately provided Carmen with resources such as essential baby care items, MetroCards, and credit cards, and began working with her to ensure broader support for her family through access to our food pantry, ongoing case management, supportive therapy, and our parent support group.

These programs have helped her feel more confident in navigating life in a new country and experiencing moments of joy with her family.

Last week, in observance of National Immigration Week, the Advisory Committee for Missionary Integration at St. Cabrini Retirement Home in New York organized a project called “Mission in Action,” as part of which it decided to collect school supplies. Cabrini Immigrant Services in Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF) distributed these supplies to the children. Father Ron Galt, vice president of Pastoral Care and Mission, visited CIS-DF to assist with the distribution, where he blessed the supplies, each child, their families, and the CIS-DF staff. “Action”!

On Friday, September 4, His Excellency Bishop Maurizio Malvestiti of Lodi traveled to Codogno to pray before the Heart of St. Francesca Cabrini and pay a brief visit to the Cabrini Museum. Earlier, he had visited the birthplace of St. Francesca Cabrini in Sant'Angelo Lodigiano.

On October 5, at the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Colorado, Archbishop Golka was welcomed for Mass and the Cabrini Day celebrations!

While paying tribute to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patroness of immigrants, Archbishop Golka and Auxiliary Bishop Rodríguez joined other Christian leaders from across Colorado to issue a joint message on migrants and refugees. Their message calls on Christians to welcome newcomers as neighbors and to defend the dignity of every person.

At the Santa Cabrini Social Service in Brazil, the legacy of love and solidarity left by Mother Cabrini is kept alive. Its mission is to welcome, with love and respect, immigrants who arrive in search of a new beginning. To further strengthen this mission, the social service works side by side with Caritas Brasiliana and ROUPARTE—CLOTHING REPAIR, ALTERATION, AND CUSTOMIZATION. It is an important partner and a key point of reference in the work of supporting migrants. Through this perfect partnership, the organization has opened the doors of its facility to host the Sewing and Minor Repairs Workshop. Much more than just teaching a technique, each lesson is a gateway to learning, self-reliance, and integration into the job market. Every stitch represents the rebuilding of a dream and the hope for a more dignified future! An initiative that transforms lives!

In Nicaragua, at the Escuela Sagrada Familia, they celebrated the Eucharist with faith and joy in honor of Missionary Month, also receiving a blessing with the relic of St. Carlo Acutis. May his example inspire us to live our faith and proclaim the love of Jesus.

On October 3 at the Santa Rosa Institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a Mass was celebrated to send off the young people of the Missionary Group, who left the following week for San Luis to embark on a new missionary experience.

With great joy and enthusiasm, they spent days preparing every detail of the trip. During the day, they also organized and sorted food donations, because every act of love is part of the mission. The young people from Argentina set out with the desire to share God’s love, to accompany, serve, and learn together with each community, following in the footsteps of our beloved Mother Cabrini, who made the mission a way of life.

Members from the Holy Spirit Region also participated in the Cabrini Student Organizing Summit on Migration, held in Chicago from October 2 to 4. Representing the Region among the students from Catholic universities was Sr. Evarlyne Ndeti.