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Oblates Participate in the Border Pilgrimage for Hope and Life |
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By Rebecca Phares Associate Director of the US Province Oblate Justice and Peace/Integrity of Creation Office
On November 2, 2003, hundreds gathered on both sides of the fence at the US/Mexico Border for a bi-national Mass to pray and pledge to work for an end to the thousands of deaths at the US/Mexico Border. Hundreds of migrants each year die attempting to cross into the US, and most who make it say that they came to ensure the survival of their families and themselves. Many Oblates and six bishops were there to add their voices to the call for justice for migrants as they enter the United States. This was the culminating event of a US/Mexico Border Pilgrimage which took place between October 26 and November 2. Oblates all along the border participated in the Pilgrimage in order to help create a national dialog about immigration issues in the United States.
Over 2000 people have died attempting to cross the US’ southern border in the last six years. These deaths are the result of border enforcement policies which have closed off crossings in the cities and forced people to cross in the far less hospitable desert and mountain areas. Most of those who cross at this border without documentation are attempting to reach work in the United States, and fleeing difficult economic situations in Mexico, Central America and further south. The pilgrims and bishops also called for more realistic immigration policies so that migrants can cross legally rather than traverse the often deadly desert and mountainous areas in the Southwest of the United States.
Two groups embarked on this pilgrimage and journeyed from San Diego, California and Brownsville, Texas into El Paso, Texas, a trip totaling over 2000 miles. Representing the Oblate JPIC Office, I took part in the Eastern leg. In El Paso, over 200 pilgrims joined those who had traveled from Brownsville and San Diego. In addition several Oblates arrived in El Paso to take part in some or all of the weekend’s events and then to take part in the US Province Justice Peace & Integrity of Creation Committee meeting. These included Bob Wright, OMI, Séamus P. Finn, OMI, Maurice Lange, OMI, Tom Rush, OMI, David Ullrich, OMI, Darrell Rupiper, OMI and John Lasseigne, OMI. Victor Carmona who works with the Oblates in Tijuana represented the US Oblates in helping to plan many events leading up to and kicking off the Western leg of the pilgrimage in San Diego, California.
Between October 27 and November 2, I was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Pilgrimage for Hope and Life. I was able to talk with several Oblates along the way. In Brownsville, Armand Matthews, OMI was present at the small kick off of the pilgrimage which many local press sources attended. John Lasseigne, OMI was the coordinator for the pilgrimage for San Juan, Texas and organized a press conference, a march attended by several hundred, and a Mass focusing on immigrant rights in the Shrine. He arranged for talks at two local universities and a dinner with parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish in McAllen Texas. In Laredo, the pilgrims participated in a panel discussion at Texas A&M International University and attended Mass in a local Oblate parish which was celebrated by Edward Ward, OMI. In Del Rio, the next stop, parishioners and pastors of three local parishes, including Jim Loiacono, OMI, pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Eagle Pass, Texas, celebrated Mass and took part in a panel and discussion about ways the community could better minister to migrants.
The Pilgrimage ended in El Paso where pilgrims took part in an informational convocation on US/Mexico border issues, listened to the stories of migrants journeying to find work and participated in an ecumenical worship service. As previously mentioned, several hundred took part in a Mass on both sides of a fence at the US/Mexico Border.
Rebecca Phares Justice and Peace/ Integrity of Creation Office Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate 391 Michigan Ave. NE Washington, DC 20017 tel/ 202-281-1608 * fax/ 202-636-9444
Peace is not the
product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace
is not the silent result Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty. Archbishop Oscar Romero 11/19/03
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