‘Forced like Jesus Christ to Flee’
World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees in New Zealand, 21 June
As the title for his annual message for the World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugess, Pope Francis has chosen ‘Forced like Jesus Christ to Flee’. The message will focus on the pastoral care of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who currently number over 41 million worldwide.
As the title makes clear, the reflection begins with the experience of the young Jesus and his family as displaced persons and refugees. This provides a Christological grounding for the Christian action of welcome or hospitality. Over the coming months, the theme will be developed in six sub-themes expressed by six pairs of verbs:
- to know in order to understand;
- to draw near so as to serve;
- to listen in order to reconcile;
- to share and thus to grow;
- to involve in order to promote; and
- to collaborate and therefore to build.
Again this year, the Migrants & Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will encourage, prepare and support the celebration of this day. Resources are being developed and a communication campaign will soon get underway. Each month, information, reflections, and multimedia aids will be offered as means of exploring and expressing the theme chosen this year by the Holy Father.
The Vatican’s date for this Day of Prayer is 29 September; in Australia, 30 August.
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