The Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of Migrants and Refugees

This Sunday, September 29, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees is celebrated, which this year has as its motto “God walks with his people.” For this reason, Pope Francis issued a message a few months ago to delve deeper into the harsh reality that these people are going through.

In it text for this 110th Daythe Holy Father meditates on the biblical story of the Exodus in which the people of Israel walk through the desert seeking to reach the Promised Land and compares it with the longing of migrants.

“Like the people of Israel in the time of Moses, migrants often flee situations of oppression and abuse, insecurity and discrimination, and lack of development projects. And just like the Hebrews in the desert, emigrants also encounter many obstacles on their way,” highlights the Pontiff.

Later, he highlights that God was always in the midst of his people and that he continues to be. In this sense, remember that Christ also presents himself as “thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned, asking that we find him and help him.”

“Dear brothers and sisters, on this Day dedicated to migrants and refugees, let us unite in prayer for all those who have had to abandon their land in search of dignified living conditions,” encourages Pope Francis.

The saints, more than 100 years interceding for migrants

According to a historical article by Father Gabriele Bentoglio, former undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants, in 1914 this day was instituted for Italian emigrants during the pontificate of Benedict XV. Then, the first day for Italy was celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent, which fell on February 21, 1915.

Over time, this day dedicated to praying for migrants spread to the entire Church and has changed dates. Currently, it is celebrated last sunday of september.

In 2016, Pope Francis established the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Developmentwhich according to their website incorporated the functions of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Emigrants and Itinerants and now has the pastoral mission of migrants.

The organized service to migrants in the Church had as a precursor to a saint. According to the aforementioned Dicastery, it is Saint Juan Bautista Scalabrini“who explained this project to Saint Pius X in a letter dated July 22, 1904 and, in more detail, in a memorial dated May 4, 1905.” The Pope promoted several works in favor of migrants.

Vatican News indicates that Saint John Baptist Scalabrini is considered the apostle of migrants and that Pope Francis He granted him a second miracleor to be canonized. Thus, on October 9, 2022 was proclaimed saint next to the migrant San Artemides Zattiwho migrated from Italy to Argentina.