U.S. bishops are inviting Catholic faithful to join with them in spotlighting the need for immigration policy reform, as Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston and other prelates celebrate a Mass on Tuesday in memory of the thousands of migrants who have lost their lives trying to cross the Arizona desert.
The Mass on the Boarder and «Mission for Migrants» in Nogales, Arizona, is reminiscent of Pope Francis’ first trip outside the Vatican, to the island of Lampedusa, in memory of the many migrants who’ve died trying to cross from Africa to Europe.
The Mass on the Border will be streamed live on April 1, at 9 a.m. (PT) /12 p.m. (ET). It can be followed on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqY9GcA6lCA.
The US episcopal conference’s Committee on Migration recommends prayer and fasting for the plight of migrants and immigration policy reform, as well as some concrete actions:
• By advocating for immigration reform sending an electronic postcard to members of Congress. Or by using the toll free number: 1-855-589-5698 to “support a path to citizenship and oppose the SAFE Act.”
• By fasting in solidarity with migrants and immigrants. Fasting turns peoples’ attention away from their own needs and allows them to open their hearts to the suffering of others.
• By spreading the word via social media, using the Twitter hashtag #BorderMass and following the latest developments on Facebook and Twitter.
• More resources for prayers and Masses, a link to the electronic postcards and the Mass on the Border live stream can be found at: www.justiceforimmigrants.org. More information on the event can be found at: www.usccb.org/about/migration-policy/mass-on-the-border.cfm
