Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, has always been a symbol of hope and a companion for all who are marginalized. From her own family experience of living in another country as a stranger or immigrant, people believe that she works for the unity of the people of God in search of understanding, compassion, peace and human dignity for immigrants who are being kept in the margins of our society. In fact, among all women who ever lived, Mary is singled out as the one who has the most enduring power in the Christian imagination. And so, she alone can bring immigrants and the inhabitants who fear strangers together through her Son Jesus Christ.
May Mary remind us of our own Yes to God’s call as consecrated people of God in our different spheres of life. May we be the voice for the voiceless and the less privileged in our society.
--Sr. Chioma Ahanihu, SLW
If you pray for Mary’s intercession on behalf of our immigrant brothers and sisters, consider praying this prayer, written by Br. Mickey McGrath OSFS:
As we reflect upon the difficult journey that the Holy Family faced as refugees in Egypt, help us to remember the suffering of all migrant families. Through the intercession of Mary our Mother, and St. Joseph the Worker, her spouse, we pray that all migrants may be reunited with their loved ones and find the meaningful work they seek.
Open our hearts so that we may provide hospitality for all who come in search of refuge. Give us the courage to welcome every stranger as Christ in our midst.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
In May we celebrate Mary...
Image & Prayer source: https://trinitystores.com/collections/our-lady-protector-of-immigrants-mmlpi
Quotation source
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