Sheen beatification ‘a gift’ and a call to mission, say pilgrims in St. Louis #Catholic –

ST. LOUIS (OSV News) — From across the United States and around the world, faithful of all ages have traveled to St. Louis for the Sept. 24 beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — and several pilgrims described the occasion as both a “gift” and a call to be missionary disciples.

Dominique Abagi of Sydney traveled 12 hours from her vacation lodgings in Colombia to attend the celebration, which she described as a “must-go” opportunity.

“I love his writing and I love his videos,” she said, speaking to OSV News after a Sept. 23 scheduled midday Mass at the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, located near the iconic Gateway Arch.

Pilgrims filled both the pews and the confessionals at the basilica, prompting basilica rector and celebrant Father Nicholas W. Smith to quip that had he anticipated such a crowd, he would have “called in reinforcements.”

Abagi said that she particularly appreciated Archbishop Sheen’s ability to make the truths of the Catholic faith accessible.

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“I love that he explains things that seem complex, but when he says them, I’m like, ‘Oh no, that’s just true,’” she said.

Fellow pilgrim and Mass attendee Carolyn Kwapich of Ave Maria, Florida, echoed that view.

“I think he speaks so clearly that he’s almost a man for the common man,” she told OSV News. “He’s not speaking at a level that’s so high that people can’t relate to him. I think that you could always take something away from any of his preaching.”

Archbishop Sheen’s keen awareness and spiritual foresight made him “a man of our times,” she said, noting that “Life of Christ” was one of her favorite books by Archbishop Sheen.

Kwapich, a self-described Catholic “revert,” fought back tears as she said, “I love Fulton Sheen.”

Kathleen Hastings of Phoenix, who was also at the Sept. 23 Mass, told OSV News she had an additional reason for being on hand.

“He and my grandmother are second cousins. Their grandmothers were sisters,” she explained. “So I’m on the Fulton side; that’s why I came.”

Hastings described the beatification as “very exciting.”

“We hope he becomes a saint fairly soon,” she said.

Ukrainian Catholic pilgrims attending the beatification pointed to Archbishop Sheen’s closeness to Eastern Catholics.

Yuriy Melnik, a western Ukrainian native who along with his wife, Helena, now lives in Chicago, noted that Archbishop Sheen had priestly faculties in the Byzantine Catholic rite.

“He was bi-ritual,” said Melnik, citing St. John Paul II’s metaphor of the “two lungs,” Eastern and Western, which both enable Jesus Christ’s Catholic Church to breathe fully.

In a homily during a 1960 Melkite Divine Liturgy in Birmingham, Alabama, Archbishop Sheen pointed to the Byzantine rite as “the door” through which the Russian Orthodox Church would enter if it ever sought full communion with Rome.

Melnik, who spoke with OSV News Sept. 23 following pre-beatification vespers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, also stressed Archbishop Sheen’s passionate opposition to communism.

“He was a fierce fighter against communism, and that’s exactly what we (in Ukraine) experience in our life,” said Melnik, referencing Russia’s war on Ukraine. Initiated in 2014 and accelerated by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, the conflict has been classified as genocidal in multiple human rights reports.

“We share so much in common with Fulton Sheen,” said Melnik. “That’s why he is so dear to our Ukrainian heart as well.”

Fellow Ukrainian Catholic Olga Salheska — originally from Ternopil, Ukraine, and currently living in Chicago — said that Archbishop Sheen’s passion for the Gospel inspired hearts everywhere to become missionary disciples.

“We need to evangelize as much as we can,” Salheska told OSV News. “It doesn’t matter where we live; it doesn’t matter what language you speak.”

Archbishop Sheen’s beatification and its surrounding events have provided pilgrims renewed energy for their own missionary journey as fellow followers of Christ.

“It’s a gift to be able to come,” Abagi said.

Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.

– ST. LOUIS (OSV News) — From across the United States and around the world, faithful of all ages have traveled to St. Louis for the Sept. 24 beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — and several pilgrims described the occasion as both a “gift” and a call to be missionary disciples. Dominique Abagi of Sydney traveled 12 hours from her vacation lodgings in Colombia to attend the celebration, which she described as a “must-go” opportunity. “I love his writing and I love his videos,” she said, speaking to OSV News after a Sept. 23 scheduled midday Mass at the Basilica

800 years after St. Francis’ death, Franciscans to mark his ‘Transitus’ — so what is it? #Catholic –

(OSV News) — Each year on Oct. 3, the followers of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) — friars; nuns; laypeople — mark the globally popular saint’s own journey from life to death, his “Transitus” as it is known in Latin, through special community commemorations.

But what meaning does the Transitus hold — especially on this 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death, and during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV — if you aren’t a Franciscan?

“I think the answer is self-evident. We are all going to die,” Father Joseph Mary Elder, director of vocations and communications for the Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Conrad, in Denver, told OSV News.

“The Transitus is the celebration of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi from earthly life to heavenly glory,” he explained. “It is not so much the passing of St. Francis — everyone dies after all — but the manner in which St. Francis of Assisi died. St. Francis embraced death in much the same way he had learned to live his life: with a radical and total fearlessness.”

That fearlessness led the saint to actually recite his own poetic acclaim of God as he began to expire.

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“As St. Francis was dying, his body was racked with pain; he was nearly blind — and yet, he was speaking aloud the ‘Canticle of Creation’ he had written only shortly before,” said Father Joseph.

The “Canticle of Creatures,” also called the “Canticle of the Sun,” was written by St. Francis between 1225-1226. It lyrically praises God through the elements of nature: “Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation and especially for our Brother Sun, who brings us the day and the light … Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon, and for the stars.”

“In the painful darkness of encroaching death, Francis was singing a composition praising the glory of God revealed all around him in the brilliance of creation,” said Father Joseph. “What a paradox! May this be true for each and every one of us.”

One way to learn about St. Francis and his spirit of surrender is to attend or watch a Transitus ceremony, which can be found at many Franciscan-staffed parishes or livestreamed online. Some typical elements are highlights from Francis’ life by his early biographers; recitation of his writings; Scripture; hymns; and prayer.

The Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio is marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death with a special on-campus conference, “Sister Death – Gate of Life,” from Nov. 5-7.

During the gathering — which will bring together theologians, philosophers, medical professionals, ethicists, clergy and scholars from a variety of disciplines — participants will explore St. Francis, his view of death and eternal life, the lasting relevance of his witness today, and how the Christian understanding of death speaks to some of the most pressing questions facing contemporary society.

“This conference came about as a way to celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ passing from death to eternal life — and so that is at the heart of our idea of the Transitus,” James Matenaer, a professor of history at the university, told OSV News.

“But it’s also a way to celebrate the Jubilee year that Pope Leo proclaimed to celebrate St. Francis of Assisi,” he added, “and the importance that the Franciscan movement and charisms have in our Catholic faith.”

There are approximately 650,000 Franciscans in 110 countries. Nearly 35,000 Franciscan friars belong to the First Order of Friars Minor, the First Order of Capuchin Franciscans, the First Order of Conventual Franciscans and the Third Order Regular. Followers of St. Clare (Poor Clares) number about 60,000 cloistered religious women. There are close to 155,000 Third Order Regular religious sisters and brothers. Additionally, 400,000 single and married women and men follow the way of St. Francis as Secular Franciscans.

In the 800 years since St. Francis’ death — and with so many Franciscans spread across the globe — his life and its legends have travelled far and wide.

“We have our own ideas of Francis, and they can be all over the place,” Father Greg Friedman, an author, journalist, and Franciscan friar in the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, told OSV News.

“Sometimes they’re accurate; sometimes they’re not,” he explained. “And sometimes the emphasis is so much on Francis that we forget what the key thing about his life was — and that is the following of Jesus in the Gospel.”

So what might St. Francis hope faithful Catholics and other Franciscan friends will remember the 800th anniversary of his death?

For Father Greg, who will be in Rome for the Transitus, a motto of St. Francis comes to mind.

“‘I have done what is mine; may Christ teach you what is yours.’ I think this is a very important saying of Francis. What he would want — in this 800th anniversary year — would be to say, ‘How are you focusing on what is yours to do? What is yours to do, in the spirit of Jesus?’”

While Transitus traditions might in some ways appear slightly puzzling to non-Franciscans, Father Greg offered a helpful context.

“If somebody said to me, ‘Why do you guys do this? Why do you celebrate the death of St. Francis every year?’ I would say, ‘Well, how do you remember the people in your family? How do you remember your grandparents; your great-grandparents?’” he said. “You tell the story.”

Kimberley Heatherington is an OSV News correspondent. She writes from Virginia.

– (OSV News) — Each year on Oct. 3, the followers of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) — friars; nuns; laypeople — mark the globally popular saint’s own journey from life to death, his “Transitus” as it is known in Latin, through special community commemorations. But what meaning does the Transitus hold — especially on this 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death, and during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV — if you aren’t a Franciscan? “I think the answer is self-evident. We are all going to die,” Father Joseph Mary Elder, director of vocations and

Pope Leo to visit migration center in Paris that welcomes all, no matter their legal status #Catholic –

PARIS (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV will open his second day in Paris with a special visit. On Sept. 26, he will cross the threshold of Maison Bakhita, a facility run by the Archdiocese of Paris dedicated to providing shelter for people in extreme need, most often migrants.

On Sept. 27, the Church observes World Day of Migrants and Refugees, ahead of which Pope Leo issued an appeal that migrants, especially vulnerable children, “always be protected and cared for” and called the exploitation of migrants a “tragic reality.”

Opened in 2021, Maison Bakhita brings together the efforts of numerous Catholic organizations that serve the poor. Spanning over 15,000 square feet, it is located in the 18th arrondissement, or district, not far from the Sacré-Coeur, or Basilica of the Sacred Heart, in Montmartre, and near the Porte de la Chapelle, where makeshift camps for foreign migrants regularly spring up.

The center is named after St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave who became a nun in Italy, where she died in 1947, and who was canonized by St. John Paul II in 2000.

At Maison Bakhita, or Bakhita House, everyone who knocks on the door is welcomed.

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“It offers a warm welcome to everyone,” Gwendoline Fasano, director of Maison Bakhita, told OSV News. “Here, people can have a time to rest and a comforting place where they can be heard.”

“All our efforts are aimed at helping these people regain their self-esteem,” Fasano emphasized. “We want to help them regain the ability to connect with others and the opportunity for a spiritual life, beyond their material needs, which we strive to help them meet.”

Upon his arrival, the pope will go to pray in the house’s oratory, accompanied by the two nuns who live there permanently. “They maintain a prayerful presence, and they welcome anyone who wants to speak with them or pray the liturgical services with them,” Fasano said.

There, the pope will unveil a commemorative plaque marking his visit. “It will remind us of the honor he has bestowed upon us,” Fasano said. “It will be an important memento for all the people welcomed here, who deeply need to be shown consideration.”

Pope Leo will then walk past the daycare center where women who come to the Bakhita House can leave their children. “Some women are single mothers with young children,” Fasano said. “The daycare center allows them to be available to take the training courses we offer, which help them reenter the workforce.” Among these programs are French language classes, as well as workshops in cooking, carpentry, digital skills, and sewing.

In the large dining hall, some 150 people pass through each day for a moment of fellowship.

The pope will be welcomed there by about forty people, volunteers and people in need, and will listen to the stories of some of them. Among them, an Afghan tailor of Muslim background will share how he was once taken in by Maison Bakhita, and how he now, standing firmly on his feet, returns there every week as a volunteer to help others.

“At Maison Bakhita, our welcome is unconditional,” Fasano emphasized. “We do not ask about the religion of those who knock on our door.”

At Maison Bakhita, the staff also does not ask residents whether they are in the country legally.

“Migration policy decisions are not within our purview,” Fasano said. “What drives us is Christ’s words in the Gospel according to St. Matthew: ‘I was … a stranger and you welcomed me.’ The pope’s visit will serve as a reminder that it is important to welcome every person — with their story and their suffering — just as we would welcome Christ himself.”

Among the witnesses who will address the pope will be a woman who was rescued from prostitution by the Catholic organization Aux Captifs la Libération, which the diocese has invited to participate in the Maison Bakhita papal visit.

The association’s director, Thierry Desjuzeur, will be with her.

“Every day, we reach out to people on the streets, particularly in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, where prostitution is prevalent,” he told OSV News. “Our organization works in collaboration with parishes in Paris,” he said.

The organization’s name refers to the beginning of Christ’s public ministry, when he read the passage from the Book of Isaiah speaking of the Lord who sent him “To proclaim liberty to the captives.”

“We try, as Christ did, to go out and meet today’s captives, those enslaved by prostitution, alcohol and precarious living conditions, and to bring them the Father’s tenderness,’ Desjuzeur said.

For Desjuzeur, the pope’s visit serves as a reminder of the intrinsic dignity of people living on the streets. “Whatever their circumstances, they are human beings,” he said. “I am struck by the simplicity and trust in God of these people whom we strive to accompany.”

The director expressed his admiration and gratitude for the pope’s visit to Maison Bakhita, despite his busy schedule. “In Paris, the number of migrants on the streets has increased significantly recently,” he said. “In this context, the pope’s message will be extremely powerful for society as a whole.”

Caroline de Sury writes for OSV News from Paris.

– PARIS (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV will open his second day in Paris with a special visit. On Sept. 26, he will cross the threshold of Maison Bakhita, a facility run by the Archdiocese of Paris dedicated to providing shelter for people in extreme need, most often migrants. On Sept. 27, the Church observes World Day of Migrants and Refugees, ahead of which Pope Leo issued an appeal that migrants, especially vulnerable children, “always be protected and cared for” and called the exploitation of migrants a “tragic reality.” Opened in 2021, Maison Bakhita brings together the efforts of numerous

Technological advancements are not rivals to faith, pope says #Catholic –

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Progress in science and technology is not contrary to belief in God, and Christians should be actively involved in shaping that progress so that it serves human dignity and the common good, Pope Leo XIV said.

At his Sept. 23 general audience, the pope also pointed to Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who is set to be beatified Sept. 24 in St. Louis, as an example of a Catholic who embraced the technology of his time to spread the Gospel.

Continuing his series on documents of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo reflected on the council’s conciliar constitution “Gaudium et Spes,” particularly its teaching on human activity and progress in the world.

Created in the image and likeness of God, the human being is an agent of progress, the pope said, using freedom and intelligence to increase knowledge and advance society.

Yet as scientific and technological achievements multiplied, he said, some thinkers began portraying God and humanity as “rivals: in order to assert his knowledge, his freedom and his progress, man is thought to have to emancipate himself from God.”

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Pope Leo called that view erroneous and quoted the late theologian, Jesuit Father Henri de Lubac, who described it as the “tragedy of atheistic humanism.”

“Ultimately, however, by denying the relationship with God, one also loses the possibility of affirming the transcendent value of the human person,” the pope said.

Quoting the conciliar constitution, he said Christians instead believe “that the triumphs of the human race are a sign of God’s grace and the flowering of His own mysterious design.”

Human achievement, therefore, should not draw the faithful away from involvement in scientific, technological or social progress, the pope said. Rather, the Gospel calls them to participate in building society while keeping such progress oriented toward human flourishing.

“Let us carry out our daily activities with true charity, offering our work to the Lord both as a means for personal sanctification and as an expression of our desire ever more fully to bring about God’s kingdom, especially through pursuing the common good, caring for the needy and defending human dignity,” he told English-speaking pilgrims.

Humanity’s freedom and activity are not absorbed or nullified by an encounter with God, Pope Leo said. Instead, humanity finds its fullest truth and freedom in Christ.

“From this perspective, an important truth emerges: to encounter God, the human being must not abandon his earthly occupations, but can live his vocation fully, carrying out his daily work well and sanctifying it,” he said.

Christians, he said, should therefore participate fully in society’s progress while reminding others of its “ultimate purpose.”

Pope Leo’s catechesis echoes his recent encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas,” in which he addressed the development of artificial intelligence and stressed that technological advances must remain at the service of human dignity.

Authentic human progress, the pope said at the general audience, “must be inspired and guided by charity” and improve the lives of all people, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

“Dear brothers and sisters, the Second Vatican Council invites us to share the bread of knowledge and know-how, so that every person and every people may develop their potential, and together, with God’s help, we may build a better future,” he said.

Mentioning the upcoming beatification of Archbishop Sheen in his greeting to English-speaking pilgrims, Pope Leo recalled the American prelate’s innovative use of radio and television for evangelization.

“May the example and intercession of this holy bishop, known for his evangelizing work through the media, inspire many others likewise to find new ways of spreading the Gospel message with joyful enthusiasm,” he said.

– VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Progress in science and technology is not contrary to belief in God, and Christians should be actively involved in shaping that progress so that it serves human dignity and the common good, Pope Leo XIV said. At his Sept. 23 general audience, the pope also pointed to Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who is set to be beatified Sept. 24 in St. Louis, as an example of a Catholic who embraced the technology of his time to spread the Gospel. Continuing his series on documents of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo reflected on the council’s conciliar

Música y Misión: la Diócesis de Paterson convoca a sus músicos litúrgicos para una jornada de formación con OCP #Catholic –

Músicos, cantores, directores de coro e instrumentistas de la Diócesis de Paterson se reunirán el sábado 3 de octubre para una jornada de formación, oración y encuentro junto al Instituto OCP. El evento se celebrará de 8:00 a.m. a 3:30 p.m. en la iglesia St. Andrew the Apostle, ubicada en 400 Mt. Prospect Ave., Clifton.

La jornada forma parte de Música y Misión, un programa de formación de un año dirigido a quienes sirven en el ministerio de la música litúrgica. A lo largo del programa, los participantes tienen acceso a sesiones virtuales a través de Facebook y Zoom sobre distintos aspectos de la música y la liturgia. El encuentro del 3 de octubre será el primero de carácter presencial y ofrecerá a músicos de distintas parroquias la oportunidad de conocerse, aprender juntos y compartir sus experiencias de servicio.

“La formación nos ayuda a recordar que la música no es solamente algo que hacemos durante la Misa; es un ministerio que ponemos al servicio de Dios y de nuestra comunidad”, señala Alejandra Osorio, músico de la iglesia Santa Margarita de Escocia en Morristown.

Un programa abierto a nuevos participantes

No es necesario haber asistido a las sesiones virtuales anteriores para participar en el encuentro presencial. Los músicos que aún no se hayan incorporado al programa pueden asistir, conocer la iniciativa y comenzar su proceso de formación junto a otros músicos de la diócesis.

La jornada se desarrollará en español y está dirigida principalmente a músicos de las comunidades hispanas de la diócesis. También están invitados quienes entiendan español, incluidos directores y músicos de habla inglesa interesados en conocer el repertorio y las tradiciones musicales de las comunidades hispanas.

Los ponentes

El evento contará con la participación de los músicos y compositores católicos Iván Díaz y Silvio Cuéllar.

Díaz, nacido y criado en Colombia, es compositor de música católica bilingüe, director coral y músico pastoral. Cuenta con una maestría en dirección coral y se desempeña actualmente como director de Campus Ministry en St. Thomas University, en Miami. Sus composiciones forman parte de varias colecciones de OCP, incluida Nuestra Alegría / Our Joy. En 2024 recibió el reconocimiento de Compositor Católico Distinguido del Año, otorgado por la Association of Catholic Publishers.

Cuéllar nació en Córdoba, Argentina, y creció en Bolivia antes de emigrar a Estados Unidos. Es músico pastoral, compositor, periodista y conferencista especializado en liturgia y vida familiar. Miembro fundador de la Asociación de Músicos Pastorales Hispanos, ha dedicado parte importante de su ministerio a la formación y el acompañamiento de comunidades católicas hispanas.

Contenido de la jornada

Durante el encuentro se abordarán temas como la espiritualidad del músico litúrgico, la técnica vocal y la formación de coros efectivos, con herramientas tanto prácticas como espirituales para quienes ejercen este ministerio en sus parroquias.

El programa incluirá también una sesión dedicada al repertorio de música de alabanza, utilizando el himnario Flor y Canto, cuarta edición, como recurso para explorar cantos apropiados para la celebración litúrgica en español.

Música y Misión busca fortalecer la formación de quienes sirven a través de la música y subrayar el papel que el canto y los instrumentos desempeñan en la participación de la comunidad durante la liturgia.

El costo de participación es de $25 e incluye alimentos. Para información y registro, comuníquese con Yessenia Castillo, de la Oficina del Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Paterson, al (973) 538-0874, ext. 108, o por correo electrónico a hispanicoffice@patersondiocese.org.

Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí.

– Músicos, cantores, directores de coro e instrumentistas de la Diócesis de Paterson se reunirán el sábado 3 de octubre para una jornada de formación, oración y encuentro junto al Instituto OCP. El evento se celebrará de 8:00 a.m. a 3:30 p.m. en la iglesia St. Andrew the Apostle, ubicada en 400 Mt. Prospect Ave., Clifton. La jornada forma parte de Música y Misión, un programa de formación de un año dirigido a quienes sirven en el ministerio de la música litúrgica. A lo largo del programa, los participantes tienen acceso a sesiones virtuales a través de Facebook y Zoom sobre

Annual Walk of Hope supports Haiti schoolchildren #Catholic –

Rainy weather didn’t deter about 50 people from coming out to support St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s second annual Walk of Hope, on Sept. 20, at Kantor Memorial Park in Gillette, N.J. Children were able to participate in educational and fun activities, and there were snacks, homemade treats, beverages and ice cream for all.

Father Hernan Cely, St. Vincent’s pastor, led the walk kick-off prayer for the event, which raised more than $7,000 from generous sponsors and donors, including many local businesses and organizations, to support St. Vincent’s sister parish, St. Paul in Nanpol in Haiti. This year, the funds will primarily support the school and meal program serving more than 130 schoolchildren.

Since 2017, the Haiti’s Hope Ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township , N.J., has funded the installation of a solar-powered water pump filtration system, helped construct and operate a school, and started a school meal program.

To learn more about Haiti’s Hope Ministry, please visit stvincentschurch.org.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

– Rainy weather didn’t deter about 50 people from coming out to support St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s second annual Walk of Hope, on Sept. 20, at Kantor Memorial Park in Gillette, N.J. Children were able to participate in educational and fun activities, and there were snacks, homemade treats, beverages and ice cream for all. Father Hernan Cely, St. Vincent’s pastor, led the walk kick-off prayer for the event, which raised more than $7,000 from generous sponsors and donors, including many local businesses and organizations, to support St. Vincent’s sister parish, St. Paul in Nanpol in Haiti. This year, the funds

What the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees means for us #Catholic –

“For this 112th World Day (of Migrants and Refugees), the theme ‘Even just one of these children,’ draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed them, and to the Lord’s promise that ‘whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’ (Mk. 9:37).” (From the first paragraph of Pope Leo XIV’s message. See: Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees)

BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY

I had thought that I may not be writing a column this week, because I was blessed to travel this past weekend on a brief, four-day pilgrimage to Mexico — you can see pictures, reflections, and more information here. This pilgrimage, however, gave me the opportunity to reflect on how many of our human vulnerabilities intersect with some of our present-day social difficulties and, regrettably, sometimes strife.

In my reflection these days, I noted that moving through a place that we do not know well always makes us feel a little insecure to some degree. When we appreciate that, in one way or another, we are all vulnerable in our travels, we can expand our horizons toward welcome.

In welcoming the vulnerable or the displaced, we are in the company of the Lord. The Lord’s presence is reassuring and empowering of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that enable us to remove obstacles from one another’s path so we can travel safely. These gifts we use along the way are poured forth by the Holy Spirit as the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Even the briefest of pilgrimages, or travel, calls to mind the image of life as a journey. While some travel is for pleasure and adventure, other kinds of travel can be anxiety-inducing, and for some, wearying.

While I do not travel often, I do so enough to witness the experience of many “frequent flyers” who are constantly in transit for work or other responsibilities that keep them on the move. There is nothing pleasurable about that kind of ceaseless trek. When a long journey is made alone, it can also enhance the feeling of weariness and sometimes lead to a sense of insecurity.

Whether the road is short or long, by God’s plan, we are on a journey through this life to the next. While in transit, so to speak, the Lord gives us the mission of caring for one another. The companions we meet on life’s journey, as on any journey, determine whether our travel is a joyful adventure or tedious crawl. Even on the most arduous journey, we can learn and pass the time more profitably when we share conversation that begins with openness to others.

This short pilgrimage of mine, which included time in Mexico City at the foot of the Tepeyac Hill, where the Blessed Virgin appeared to the simple peasant and now the first canonized saint of the Americas, Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, is a blessing. You can feel the Blessed Mother’s continuing embrace of all of her children at this Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. So many feel drawn to this shrine of Our Lady because of her reassuring maternal love that leads us to her Son. The Blessed Mother encourages us to be worthy disciples of her Son. Our goal to be faithful disciples is, in itself, a journey and one never made alone.

In first reaching out to Saint Juan Diego at Tepeyac, the Virgin Mary provided yet another sign of God’s special love for the poor and the marginalized. That embrace continues. On this particular pilgrimage, we also walked in the footsteps of the Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz, who is in the process of beatification and perhaps, one day, canonization. Father Schwartz founded the Sisters of Mary and the World Villages for Children Girlstown and Boystown and other orphanages for children who have no place to call “home.” Girlstowns and Boystowns provide places of safety and joy for so many boys and girls who have no safety net in life.

A few days before I left for the pilgrimage, one of our priests sent me some information on the upcoming (Sunday, Sept. 27) 112th World Day for Migrants and Refugees. I guess I had “missed” a notification, especially from the USCCB. The priest also shared information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) about the 45th annual “National Migration Week,” sponsored by the Church in the United States, which will already have started but hopefully not finished by the time you are reading this.

For more information, see: National Migration Week to Focus on the Presence of Christ within Each Migrant Child. Very often, we can get lost in statistics when we discuss complex issues like immigration. The message of the Virgin Mary at Tepeyac and the example of Father Schwartz highlight our need to approach one another as companions on this life’s journey. In this way, we are more likely to open our hearts to understanding by seeking solutions that are durable, humane, and welcoming. When we welcome the poor and vulnerable with a generous response, we are embracing the Lord himself.

Pilgrims know that their destinations in this world are never final. We are “citizens of heaven” (Philippians 3:20). Our human condition means that each one of us is vulnerable along the way. The example of the Blessed Mother, who said to Saint Juan Diego, “Am I not here, I, who am your Mother?” is a challenge to us all to have the courage to magnify the power of God’s presence through our love for one another.

The concrete acts of mercy by the Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz demonstrate what a vision based on the absolute dignity of the human person, especially children, can produce: compassion and love multiplied by the power of God’s grace.

What can we do to help obtain dignity and safety for those involved in the tumultuous process of migration? First, we can pray for migrants and refugees themselves and pray for just laws and policies that reflect human dignity and love founded on justice. We can also welcome the stranger where and when we can. Recalling that we are all passing through this world, we can commit to making our shared journey more peaceful through care, compassion, and generous hospitality born of the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts.

Reminding us that in welcoming the stranger, we welcome Christ, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV exhorts us to open our hearts to vulnerable migrants and refugees so we are witnesses to the divine truth of our faith that “love can overcome indifference.” In recognizing this special week dedicated to Migrants and Refugees, we recommit ourselves to our commitment to make room on our own journeys for the displaced and vulnerable.

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– “For this 112th World Day (of Migrants and Refugees), the theme ‘Even just one of these children,’ draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed them, and to the Lord’s promise that ‘whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’ (Mk. 9:37).” (From the first paragraph of Pope Leo XIV’s message. See: Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees) BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY I had thought that I may not be writing a column this week, because I