The 105th World Day for Migrants and Refugees will be celebrated worldwide on Sunday, September 29th

Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will preside at a prayer vigil to mark the 105th World Day for Migrants and Refugees.

This prayer vigil, sponsored by the Office for Hispanic Catholics, Office for Black Catholics, Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees and Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is offered for the intentions of migrants and refugees around the world who have been displaced due to violence or economic hardship in their countries of origin.

Monday, September 23, 2019
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish
1719 Morris Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145

All are invited to join in prayer and dialogue to strengthen the relationship between migrants and refugees with their local parish communities, by dispelling fear and inspiring those communities to stand in solidarity with those forced to leave their native lands.

Since 1914, the Catholic Church has celebrated World Day of Migrants and Refugees as an occasion to express concern for many different vulnerable people on the move, pray for and assist them in their challenges, and increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers. This year, Pope Francis has chosen the theme “It’s Not Just About Migrants, It’s About All of Us” to emphasize that this is a moral issue that touches the lives of all members of both the Church and civil society.

Following the prayer vigil, the evening will conclude with light refreshments and conversation. All are welcome to attend.

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Editor’s Note: The Office for Cultural Ministries of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia fosters the knowledge, attitudes and skills that effectively promote unity in diversity in the daily living of Catholic faith among the clergy, religious and the laity of the Archdiocese. For more information, please visit http://culturalministries.org/

The Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees (PCMR) facilitates the ecclesial integration and full participation of immigrants, refugees, migrants, and other ethnic groups in the life of the local Church. For more information, please visit http://migrantsandrefugeesphilly.org/

Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides legal and material assistance to migrants and refugees of all faith traditions. To learn more about these and other CSS programs that serve a wide variety of human needs, please visit https://cssphiladelphia.org/