FAITHFUL TO JOIN ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ IN PRAYER TO RECOGNIZE ALL IMMIGRANTS AT ANNUAL MASS AT THE CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS
September 14, 2022  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

—Afghan refugee will share her testimony and 50 ministry volunteers will be recognized before the Mass, which will feature the relics of three Saints–

Faithful from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and the Dioceses of San Bernardino, Orange, and San Diego will unite in celebration of the immigrant spirit in the United States at the bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass in Recognition of All Immigrants presided by Archbishop José H. Gomez at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, September 18, at 3 p.m. The Mass, which will be concelebrated by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ auxiliary bishops, will be preceded by a pre-procession of ministry leaders, 50 of whom will be honored for their work and support to immigrant families and children, and a testimonial delivered by Afghan refugee Sahar Masoom, who fled the Taliban regime.

“This has been another challenging year for our immigrant community,” said Archbishop Gomez. “I am really looking forward to this time for us to come together as one family of God, to pray and share God’s love and compassion. Let’s keep praying that America will continue to be a beacon of hope for peoples who have no place left to turn.” 

The Mass commemorates National Migration Week 2022, from September 19-25, and the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees,” on September 25.

The bilingual celebration at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will begin with a pre-liturgy procession inside the church. Civic and diplomatic leaders, including the Consuls of Mexico and Guatemala, will be present.

Following the Mass, the faithful will be able to venerate the relics of St. Junípero Serra, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and St. Toribio Romo. These saints are of great significance to the Catholic immigrant community in the U.S. from its founding to present day.

If the faithful and the public would like to support immigrant and refugee efforts, please consider Catholic Charities Los Angeles, which offers legal advice, catholiccharities.org/donate.

For more information, please call (213) 637-7820 or visit lacatholics.org/immigration. For information on World Day of Migrant and Refugees and National Migration Week, visit justiceforimmigrants.org.

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