On September 29, 2024, the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) was celebrated internationally to honor Pope Francis’ message, “God walks with his people”.

The Pope called on all of us to organize occasions of fraternity to celebrate this day. In Montreal, a solemn mass was celebrated at Saints-Martyrs-du-Vietnam parish, presided over by Archbishop Christian Lépine and Father Pierangelo Paternieri, episcopal vicar for cultural and ritual communities.

The ceremony was followed by a convivial dinner and an intercultural and socio-cultural evening, during which various migrant groups presented their cultural heritage through dances, songs and musical performances.

Photo by JRS Canada, Jean-Gardy Joseph, SJ.

The Pope’s message was officially presented on the morning of June 3, 2024 at the Holy See Press Office. The Pope encouraged us to walk together with the most vulnerable and with Jesus. To illustrate this idea, the Pope drew a parallel between the biblical exodus of the Israelites and the journey of migrants and the many similarities they share.

“The images of the biblical exodus and of migrants share several similarities. Like the people of Israel in the time of Moses, migrants often flee from oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of opportunities for development. Similar to the Jews in the desert, migrants encounter many obstacles in their path: they are tried by thirst and hunger; they are exhausted by toil and disease; they are tempted by despair.”

The final part of Pope Francis’ message focused on the themes of hope and trust in God, which it is crucial for refugees, migrants and displaced people to hear and retain.

“Yet the fundamental reality of the Exodus, of every exodus, is that God precedes and accompanies his people and all his children in every time and place. God’s presence in the midst of the people is a certainty of salvation history: “The Lord your God goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you” (Deut 31:6).”

The Pope added:

“Many migrants experience God as their traveling companion, guide and anchor of salvation. They entrust themselves to him before setting out and seek him in times of need. In him, they find consolation in moments of discouragement. Thanks to him, there are good Samaritans along the way. In prayer, they confide their hopes to him. How many Bibles, copies of the Gospels, prayer books and rosaries accompany migrants on their journeys across deserts, rivers, seas and the borders of every continent!”

Pope Francis also stresses the importance of recognizing migrants as a living representation of God’s people on their way to the eternal homeland. He calls for a renewed commitment to walking alongside migrants, perceiving in them the likeness of Christ, and providing them with assistance and empathy.

“For this reason, the encounter with the migrant, as with every brother and sister in need, “is also an encounter with Christ. He himself said so. It is he who knocks on our door, hungry, thirsty, an outsider, naked, sick and imprisoned, asking to be met and assisted” (Homily, Mass with Participants in the “Free from Fear” Meeting, Sacrofano, 15 February 2019). ”

For over 44 years, the Jesuit Refugee Service has been committed to helping refugees and displaced persons around the world. We understand that the journey of migrants, refugees and displaced persons can be difficult. Even in the most desperate situations, we stand by refugees to assure them that the world has not forgotten them, and that they are not alone.

Photo taken in Mexico during meetings on migrants by JRS Canada, Norbert Piché.

During this celebration, JRS Canada’s National Director, Norbert Piché, was in Mexico for a series of meetings on migrants. Here’s what he had to share on the subject.

“Right now, I’m taking part in meetings of the Jesuit Network of Central and North America with migrants. It’s a network of non-profit organizations, parishes, universities and others that accompany migrants on their routes to safer places, analyze migration flows and defend their rights.

The Pope invites us to walk with his people. Unfortunately, there are voices telling us that these migrants are criminals, rapists and so on.  So we must raise our voices in the manner of Jesus and the prophets who preceded and followed him.  We must speak the truth that these people are leaving intolerable situations. We must speak out about the actions of our governments, which impose regulations and laws that limit, and in some cases prevent, the right to asylum.

And we must accompany them on their journey. Jesus told us that we are now his hands, his feet, his eyes, and so on. Let’s be there for them; let’s walk beside them; let’s help them up when they fall; let’s be God’s hope for them, which they need so much!” Norbert Piché, National Director of JRS Canada.

JRS Canada’s mission is to offer accompaniment as a sign of hope, and our desire is to be the Good Samaritan in the path of the most vulnerable. Our mission is based on our faith in God, who is present in human history, even in its most tragic moments.

To conclude, watch the video, in which Pope Francis invited us to walk together, with the most vulnerable, with Jesus: