Icon of Our Lady Woman of Valour,
protector of the migrants in Israel
"I dream of a Europe
where being a migrant
is not a crime but
a summons to greater
commitment on behalf
of the dignity of
every human being"
Pope Francis
"The Church of Jerusalem
is deeply concerned with
these faithful,
migrant workers and
asylum seekers,
and she gathers them
to console them,
encourage them and
speak out for them."
Father David Neuhaus
Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew-speaking
Catholics in Israel, and Coordinator
of the Pastoral care of migrants
Icon of Our Lady Woman of Valour,
protector of the migrants in Israel
"Biblical revelation urges us
to welcome the stranger;
it tells us that
in so doing, we open
our doors to God,
and that in the faces
of others we see
the face of Christ himself"
Pope Francis
Message for the World Day
of Migrants and Refugees 2016
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me”: Christ’s words on Judgement Day resound in the hearts of the members of the Order in this difficult moment of time when the choice of welcoming others is being asked of us.
Speaking to the Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, following his journey among the Christians of the Nineveh Plain, who have sought refuge in Kurdistan, Pope Francis said: “Jesus himself is looking at you through the eyes of those who begged you for help and prayed for peace, he is asking you for that charity which defines us as Christians”.
The Grand Master, Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, specifically sent, in this same spirit, a letter to the European Lieutenancies inviting them to solidarity and assuring them of his spiritual closeness.
In this special edition you will find reports of the activities being carried out by many Lieutenancies in the area of welcoming those most in need.