Special Observances

"Violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form-physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal is sinful; often, it is a crime as well." USCCB, When I Call for Help, 2002.

"We proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence."

U.S. Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, November 2001

"In a world darkened by war and injustice, even when all seems lost, migrants and refugees stand as messengers of hope. Their courage and tenacity bear heroic testimony to a faith that sees beyond what our eyes can see and gives them the strength to defy death on the various contemporary migration routes. Here too we can find a clear analogy with the experience of the people of Israel wandering in the desert, who faced every danger while trusting in the Lord’s protection: 'he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday' 

(Ps 91:3-6)." 

Message from Pope Leo XIV
For the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2025, 

From the Vatican, 25 July 2025

The World Day of Migrants, typically celebrated on the last Sunday in September, has been transferred to October 4 & 5 this year, to coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants.

“Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.

These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied. Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed. A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.”

Pope Leo XIV
Message during the Holy Mass with the College of Cardinals on May 9, 2025 at the Sistine Chapel

 "Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me”.

Matthew 25:40

“God’s heart has a special place for the poor... The entire history of our redemption is marked by the presence of the poor.”

Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, of the Holy Father Leo XIV 
to all Christians on Love for the poor.

Coming soon!

FOR CHRISTIANS IN AREAS OF CONFLICT
Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope.

“I urge all members of the pilgrim Church in the Americas, pastors and faithful, to participate in this celebratory journey that aims to promote an encounter with God through Our Lady of Guadalupe, for the renewal of the social and ecclesial fabric of these peoples and communities.”

– Pope Francis, Mass for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (2022)