A group of U.S. bishops, including two cardinals, will lead a nine-day Lenten prayer service for migrants and refugees in an online series sponsored by the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
The “National Novena for Migrants and Immigrants” will be held over nine days, March 14-22, overlapping with the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph, which are traditionally marked by Irish, Italian and Polish immigrants in the United States. Scripture tells how Joseph led the refugee Holy Family to Egypt. Patrick, according to tradition, was trafficked as a slave to Ireland.
“Both Patrick and Joseph not only call attention to the American immigrants, they are stories that help us think about the situation of migrants and immigrants today,” said Stephen Millies, executive director of Catholic Theological Union’s Bernardin Center, which is organizing the novena.
Seven bishops have confirmed their participation: Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago and Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey; Archbishops Nelson Pérez of Philadelphia and John Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Archbishop-designate Joe Vásquez of Galveston-Houston; Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo of Chicago* and Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas.
The 15-minute prayer services will begin at noon Central time, over Zoom. Worship aids will be available in Spanish and English. Also included will be information about Catholic ministries serving migrants and immigrants.
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