LA, ORANGE & SAN BERNARDINO CATHOLIC BISHOPS UNITE THOUSANDS OF FAITHFUL IN PRAYER FOR IMMIGRANTS SUNDAY, JULY 20
July 17, 2014  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

LA, ORANGE & SAN BERNARDINO CATHOLIC BISHOPS UNITE THOUSANDS OF FAITHFUL IN PRAYER FOR IMMIGRANTS SUNDAY, JULY 20

The tri-diocese annual celebration will include testimonials from impacted immigrants and veneration of the relic of Santo Toribio, beloved saint of immigrants

As the nation is being deeply touched by the arrival of unaccompanied immigrant children in Southern California and other states, and efforts in support of a comprehensive immigration reform continue, Archbishop José H. Gomez has called the faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to gather together with faithful from the Dioceses of Orange and San Bernardino at a July 20 Mass in Recognition of Immigrants at 3:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (555 W. Temple St., downtown Los Angeles).

“We have a lot to pray about this year —especially for the thousands of children who have crossed our borders in recent months, sent by desperate parents to escape poverty and violence in their home countries. My prayer is that this Mass in Recognition of Immigrants will unite us in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and draw all of us closer to God,” said Archbishop José Gomez, who will preside at the largest Mass for immigrants held in California. Concelebrants will include Bishop Kevin Vann, of the Diocese of Orange, and Bishop Gerald Barnes, Diocese of San Bernardino, auxiliary bishops and dozens of clergy.

Parish groups of different nationalities from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Dioceses of Orange and San Bernardino will participate in the Mass, celebrating the immigrant heritage of the Catholic Church and the United States. They will have the opportunity to venerate the relic of Santo Toribio Romo, the beloved saint of immigrants whose relic was brought to Southern California from Mexico for a special pilgrimage of hope. The relic has visited parishes throughout the three dioceses during the past two weeks.

“I am blessed to join Archbishop Gomez, my fellow Bishops and thousands of faithful citizens who will join together in prayer honoring our immigrant roots and tradition, while offering our prayers and faithful outreach to the innocent children who have fled violence and objectification in their homelands and now seek solace in our communities,” said Bishop Vann. “As Catholics we believe in the human dignity of all people, no matter their country of origin. We are called to heed our Holy Father Francis’ call made this week in response to this humanitarian emergency and as our first urgent measure, welcome and protect these children.”

Immigrants impacted by the broken immigration system from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and the Dioceses of Orange and San Bernardino will offer testimonials, including Jersey Vargas, the 10-year-old girl whose father was released from an immigration detention facility after her encounter with Pope Francis earlier this year. Local dignitaries and immigration advocates have been invited.

“The events of the day remind us that we must first recognize the human dimension of immigration,” said Bishop Barnes. “We have been blessed to welcome brothers and sisters in Christ from Central America in the Diocese of San Bernardino this month and to live out the Gospel call to come to the aid of the stranger.”

During the Mass, the faithful will be invited to actively participate in organizing training committees at their parishes to support immigrants who will file paperwork for AB60 (driving licenses for California residents) and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).