REACHES OUT

God's love is meant to reach out to each and every person. Those who welcome the Father's embrace, for their part, become so many other open arms and embraces, enabling every person to feel loved like a child and "at home" as part of the one human family.

"GOD'S FATHERLY CARE"

God's fatherly care extends to everyone ..., but it is particularly concerned for the needs of the... wounded, weary or ill. Jesus told us that the Father stoops to help those overcome by physical or moral poverty; the more serious their condition, the more powerfully is His divine mercy revealed.

"GROWING WORLDWIDE"

... Migration is growing worldwide. Refugees and people fleeing from their homes challenge individuals and communities, and their traditional ways of life; at times they upset the cultural and social horizons which they encounter. Increasingly, the victims of violence and poverty, leaving their homelands, are exploited by human traffickers during their journey towards a better future.

TROUBLES CONSCIENCES

... The Gospel of mercy troubles our consciences, prevents us from taking the suffering of others for granted, and points out way of responding which, grounded in the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, find practical expression in works of spiritual and corporal mercy.

"IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE"

Migrants are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet's resources which are meant to be equitably shared by all. Don't we all want a better, more decent and prosperous life to share with our loved ones?

"WELCOME THE STRANGER"

Biblical revelation urges us to welcome the stranger; it tells us that in so doing, we open our door to God, and that in the face of others we see the face of Christ Himself.

"CHURCH STANDS AT THE SIDE"

The Church stands at the side of all who work to defend each person's right to live with dignity, first and foremost by exercising the right not to emigrate and to contribute to the development of one's country or origin.

DON'T BE ROBBED

Welcoming others means welcoming God in person! Do not let yourselves be robbed of the hope and joy of life born of your experience of God's mercy, as manifested in the people you meet on your journey!

ENTRUSTED TO MARY AND JOSEPH

I entrust you to the Virgin Mary, Mother of migrants and refugees, and to Saint Joseph, who experienced the bitterness of emigration to Egypt. To their intercession I also commend those who invest so much energy, time and resources to the pastoral and social care of migrants.

(Source: Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, dated 9/12/15, the Memorial of the Holy Name of Mary)