WASHINGTON – The Catholic Church observes the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on the last Sunday of September each year. Leading up to September 29, the Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Migration Week (September 23-29), calling attention to the challenges confronting migrants and refugees, from their country of origin to their destination, and how Church teaching calls on Catholics to respond with compassionate acts of love. Catholic dioceses, schools, charitable organizations, and other institutions around the country will commemorate these annual events in various ways, from special Masses and festivals to volunteer opportunities and immigration legal clinics.

For this year’s observance, Pope Francis selected the theme “God walks with his people.” God not only walks with his people, but also within them, in the sense that he identifies himself with men and women on their journey through history, particularly with the least, the poor and the marginalized, the Holy Father said in his annual message.

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, remarked that “Pope Francis calls for solidarity with migrants, reminding us that their journeys mirror the biblical Exodus, with God as their guide and companion. He emphasizes that every encounter with migrants is an encounter with Christ, urging us to respond with compassion, recognizing their struggles as a reflection of our shared journey toward the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Visit the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development website for more on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Additionally, the Justice for Immigrants website includes information on National Migration Week, including prayer resources and homily notes that illuminate the intersection between Church teaching and migration.