World Day of Migrants and Refugees
This weekend the Church celebrates the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for them as they face many challenges; and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers.
The theme of Pope Francis’ message for this World Day is: ‘Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay’. The theme, and indeed the Holy Father’s message, echo many of the principles found in the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales’ document on refugees and migrants, published earlier in 2023 – Love the Stranger – https://www.cbcew.org.uk/love-the-stranger/
Why not take some time today to read the Pope’s message and pray for all those migrants and refugees who are far from home and in need of the love and care of God and his people for them? The full text of the Pope’s message can be read here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-francismessage-for-the-world-day-of-migrants-and-refugees/







