Across the USA Catholics Join One Church One Family Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants Inspired by Mother Cabrini

The history of the U.S. Catholic Church, like the history of the United States itself, is very much intertwined with the phenomenon of migration. The first American citizen to be canonized a saint, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, feast Nov. 13, was the embodiment of this. An immigrant from Italy, she adopted this country as her own. While often facing discrimination and seemingly impossible odds, she never succumbed to hopelessness. With relentless faith, she accompanied her fellow immigrants and others living on the margins of society with a great missionary zeal. (USCCB)

On October 22 and November 13, (with the next date on Dec. 12) Catholics across the United States joined the “One Church One Family Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants.” Several dioceses took part in the initiative; they also took the Mother Cabrini Pledge  (See Bottom) that was issued by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, and listened to the USCCB's latest Pastoral Letter on Migrants.

The initiative is lead by the Jesuits West province, with sponsors including Jesuit Refugee Service USA, the Ignatian Solidarity Network, Maryknoll, the Catholic social justice lobby Network, Pax Christi USA, the USCCB‘s Migration and Refugee Services and several orders of women religious.

On October 22 and November 13, 2025, Catholics across the U.S. joined in a national day of
public witness for our immigrant brothers and sisters. This effort builds on the binational mass at the
U.S.-Mexico Border in San Luis, just 10 days earlier on October 12, in which Bishops from both countries will call attention to the urgent crisis facing migrants and celebrates the feast day of St. Cabrini, the patron saint of migrants, on November 13.

They invite dioceses, parishes, schools, religious communities, and other institutions and organizations to host public actions that lift up the dignity of migrants—especially in the places where that dignity is most often denied. This may be a vigil in front of a detention center, a prayer service at a place where migrants were publicly detained, or a rosary accompanying people who are going to immigration court hearings.
They call on all Catholics to witness to the richness of our traditions and teachings on migration.
The organization pledges: As Catholics and people of deep faith, we reject the culture of fear and silence that dehumanizes, and we choose instead to stand with migrants. Together, our voices will send a powerful message in defense of the dignity of our neighbors, family members, fellow parishioners, classmates, coworkers, and friends. We are one church. One family.
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns and other Catholic groups are organizing prayer vigils on these two dates in local communities around the country. Find everything you need to organize a vigil in your community at https://1family.us/.

In Washington, DC, this Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants, occurred on Oct. 22 and Nov. 13, from 8:30am-9:00am at ICE Headquarters, 500 12th Street, SW (near L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station)
In Philadelphia, Archbishop Nelson Perez wrote Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Next Thursday, November 13th, the Feast of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, ministries of the Catholic Church of Philadelphia including the Archbishop's Commission on Racial Healing and the Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees will participate in a Eucharistic Procession and Prayer Vigil at the ICE Philadelphia Field Office from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., which is being organized by “One Church, One Family: Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants.”

THEIR MESSAGE: Our prayers and our signs will say “Welcome the stranger; We stand with immigrants and refugees; No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here; We need legal pathways, not deportations; Build bridges not walls; Keep families together.”
We will gather in solemn, prayerful, nonviolent witness to God’s love for migrants as ICE employees enter their headquarters at the beginning of their workday.
As Catholics and people of faith, they reject the culture of fear and silence that dehumanizes, and we choose instead to stand with migrants. Together, our voices will send a powerful message in defense of the dignity of our neighbors, family members, fellow parishioners, classmates, coworkers, and friends. We are one church, one family.
DATE: Our next One Church One Family Prayer Vigil will be Friday Dec. 12, 8:30-9:00 AM, also outside ICE headquarters.

Mother Cabrini PLEDGE:

-To affirm, in word and deed, the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of immigration status or country of origin, seeing each as a child of God before all else.
-To engage with Scripture and the Church’s social teaching, reflecting on the role of migration in salvation history, the history of the United States, and the history of my own family.
-To listen and learn about the circumstances facing migrants and refugees, including those in my community, with an open heart and mind.
-To seek opportunities for encounter, so as to grow in deeper understanding and communion that leads to an authentic solidarity with those in need.
-To consider what it means to be a good neighbor and how I am called to reflect the love and hope of Christ to others.
-To encourage civic dialogue that places the human person and the sanctity of families at the center of policymaking, especially toward the end of meaningful immigration reform.
-To join with Pope Leo in praying for all migrants and refugees as fellow travelers on the journey to our true homeland. (Source: USCCB)