Opening Prayer

Merciful God, we pray for families and individuals who have left or fled their homes, seeker safer and better lives. We lift up to you their hopes, fears, and needs, that they may be protected on their journeys, their dignity and rights may be honored and upheld, and they may be welcomed with open arms into generous and compassionate communities. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 63:2-9

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

O God, you are my God—it is you I seek; For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water. R.

I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. For your love is better than life; my lips shall ever praise you! R.

I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall be sated as with choice food, with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you! R.

I think of you upon my bed, I remember you through the watches of the night You indeed are my savior, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. R.

Reading from Scripture

Leviticus 19:33-34

When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.

Reflection

An individual or group reflection on the scripture readings or the needs of refugee and migrants may take place here.

Petitions

Trusting that God’s mercy is revealed in love for those who hurt or are in need, let us now lift up prayers for migrants and refugees, saying: “Hear us, God of mercy.”

That migrants and refugees may receive compassionate and practical help and find comfort from their sorrow and fear, we pray: R.

That unaccompanied migrant children might be kept safe and reunited with families and loved ones, we pray: R.

That governments will address the root causes of migration and implement fair and compassionate immigration policies, we pray: R.

That all people of good will may stand in solidarity with migrants and refugees and have the courage to welcome every newcomer, we pray: R.

That peaceful solutions may be found to the conflict, injustice, and violence that forces people to flee, we pray: R.

That effective responses to climate change may halt the flooding, drought, and natural disasters that leads to migration of the poor, we pray: R.

Other intercessions may be offered here.

Our Father…

Closing Prayer

Loving God, you create every person in your image and unite us all in one human family. As our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, fill us with courage and compassion, that we might meet the hardships of migrants and refugees, not with silence and indifference, but with generous acts of mercy, welcoming every stranger as Christ in our midst. Amen.

Sign of Peace

All present may share an appropriate sign of peace.