On September 29, 2024, the Catholic Church will commemorate the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. This special day, marked annually, serves as a reminder to pray, reflect, and take action for those who have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety, dignity, and a better future.
This year’s theme, inspired by Pope Francis’ message, is “God Walks With His People”. It highlights the enduring presence of God in the lives of migrants and refugees and draws a powerful parallel between the biblical exodus of the Israelites and the journeys of today’s displaced individuals. Pope Francis urges us to see the stories of modern migrants as living images of God’s people on their pilgrimage toward hope and freedom.
The Journey of Migration and Faith
Throughout history, people have faced great hardships in their quest for a safe and dignified life. Whether fleeing oppression, insecurity, or lack of opportunity, migrants—much like the Israelites in the time of Moses—encounter numerous obstacles. Hunger, thirst, disease, and exhaustion accompany them, yet their journeys are often filled with hope for a better future.
Pope Francis reminds us that just as God accompanied the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land, He is ever-present with today’s migrants. The promise, “The Lord your God goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6), remains a source of comfort and strength. This assurance of divine companionship is made tangible through the actions of good Samaritans along the way, individuals who serve as beacons of hope and help to those in need.
Encountering Christ in the Migrant
One of the central themes of Pope Francis’ message is the idea that in every migrant, we are invited to encounter Christ Himself. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35 resonate deeply: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” This call challenges us to open our hearts and doors to those who knock, seeking refuge from the storms of life. In helping those in need, we are helping Christ.
Pope Francis emphasizes that God not only walks with His people but also dwells within them, especially in the poor, marginalized, and those on the peripheries. The encounter with a migrant or refugee is an opportunity to meet Christ and to grow in love, compassion, and faith. In this sense, as Pope Francis beautifully puts it, “the poor save us” because they lead us closer to the heart of God.
Our Call to Walk Together
As a Church, Pope Francis calls us to walk together in solidarity with migrants and refugees. This “synodal” journey, characterized by mutual support and shared humanity, mirrors the Church’s mission of journeying together toward the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as the Synod of Bishops recently reflected on the concept of synodality—the Church’s fundamental vocation to journey together—we are invited to be companions on the road with those displaced by war, poverty, and persecution.
A Prayer for Migrants and Refugees
On this 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, let us lift up in prayer all those who are far from home, longing for safety and dignity. We pray that we may always recognize Christ in their faces and extend our hands in love and service.
Prayer:
God, Almighty Father,
we are your pilgrim Church
journeying towards the Kingdom of heaven.
We live in our homeland,
but as if we were foreigners.
Every foreign place is our home,
yet every native land is foreign to us.
Though we live on earth,
our true citizenship is in heaven.
Do not let us become possessive
of the portion of the world
you have given us as a temporary home.
Help us to keep walking,
together with our migrant brothers and sisters,
toward the eternal dwelling you have prepared for us.
Open our eyes and our hearts
so that every encounter with those in need
becomes an encounter with Jesus, your Son and our Lord.
Amen.
As we commemorate this day, may we be moved to act—whether through prayer, advocacy, or direct support—to create a world where all migrants and refugees feel seen, valued, and loved. Together, let us journey toward a future of hope and justice for all.
Read the full Message of His Holiness Pope Francis: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/migration/documents/20240524-world-migrants-day-2024.html