Sacred Journey: Loretto Walks With Immigrant Families

“Caminante, no hay puentes, se hace puentes al andar.”
(Traveler, there are no bridges, one must build them as one walks.)

Gloria Anzaldúa

As the traveler walks, Jesus walks: to the crib for Advent prayers, to the mountains searching for peace, to the next town for a house of warmth, to the cross looking for hope. Jesus walks with immigrant families, migrant workers, children in search of a Christmas at home. Jesus keeps vigil with us for the promise given all from the heart of God. Jesus walks with us all.

Immigrant families search in the dark of night. They are traveling as the Holy Family did that cold winter night. They seek shelter, safety, food, warmth and a place to call home.

Immigration justice is one of the Loretto Community’s top mission priorities. Whether it’s through the work of individual members, Loretto’s Latin America/Caribbean Committee or partner organizations (such as Annunciation House, Casa de Arcoiris, Espacio Migrante, Kino Border Initiative, Southside Presbyterian, Salvavision and Tucson Samaritans), Loretto consistently offers advocacy and hands-on support for immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers. Loretto members live, work and serve in locations that are on the front lines of the U.S. immigration humanitarian crisis, including El Paso, Texas, and Denver. Loretto also partners with organizations in Mexico and along the U.S.-Mexican border.

The walk of all immigrants is holy ground. Immigrants adapt, they search for detours, they cry, for the walk is long and hard. It is chaos, it’s scary, and weeping is frequent. They live on the edge. Jesus walks with them, and us.

Travel with Loretto on our Facebook page this third week of Advent as Loretto joins with Jesus to walk with immigrants searching for justice.