100th World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees January 19

“Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity,” writes Pope Francis.

“They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more,” the pope continued. “The sheer number of people migrating from one continent to another, or shifting places within their own countries and geographical areas, is striking.

“Contemporary movements of migration represent the largest movement of individuals, if not of peoples, in history. As the Church accompanies migrants and refugees on their journey, she seeks to understand the causes of migration, but she also works to overcome its negative effects, and to maximize its positive influence on the communities of origin, transit and destination.”

Becoming Neighbors, a Toronto organization that provides community support for immigrants and refugees, created a prayer service and prayers for the faithful to commemorate the World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees on January 19. It can be used in a variety of community and ministerial settings.

Click here to download a PDF of the service.

Fr. Peter McKenna, a member of the SCJs’ Canadian Region, is on the staff at Becoming Neighbors.

Click here to read Pope Francis’ full text regarding World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees.