EUROPE/ITALY - Migrant Day: "To welcome today as if we were to welcome Christ as a refugee"

Saturday, 26 September 2020 emigration   missionary institutes  

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - "In the flight to Egypt, Jesus experienced being a refugee. In the eyes of Mary and Joseph we see the same worried and fearful gazes of today's refugees. In Christ, however, we see the same conditions as the many children who today suddenly find themselves adults, with their childhood torn by human cruelty". This was emphasized by Sister Neusa de Fatima Mariano, Superior General of the Scalabrinians, a Congregation that since its foundation has been dealing with assistance to migrants, for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees of 27 September.
"The Holy Family in search of refuge in Egypt reminds us of the dramatic condition of exiled families, who live in fear, uncertainty and hardship. In the Holy Family in exile today we feel the duty to assist the many families who ask for help", continues the nun in the note sent to Agenzia Fides." Pope Francis is illuminating in his vision of Pontificate - explains Sister Neusa - And once again he expresses his personal concern and that of the whole Church, for 'people on the move'. The Pontiff's message is based on six verbs that are translated into very concrete actions, linked in a cause-effect relationship: knowing and understanding, becoming neighbor and serving, reconciling and listening, growing and sharing, involving and promoting, collaborating and building. Responding to the four verbs already presented by the Pope some time ago is a pastoral challenge that we strongly embrace: we must welcome, protect, promote and integrate".
The 106th World Migrant Day is celebrated in harmony with the Jubilee of the Congregation, born 125 years ago. "This year we have one more opportunity - continues the Superior General - to raise awareness on migrants and refugees, and as consecrated for migrants, to offer intensely our communion and solidarity, our prayer, and to respond to the appeals that migration itself puts us in front of the physical eyes and the eyes of the heart". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 26/9/2020)


Share: