Why the Catholic Church Welcomes the Stranger
The Catholic Church has always upheld the dignity of every human person and the call to live in solidarity with one another. These core principles of Catholic Social Teaching remind us that we are one human family, regardless of nationality, background, or legal status.
In a world where millions are displaced due to war, persecution, poverty, and environmental crises, the Church stands as a beacon of hope, advocating for migrants, refugees, and all those seeking a better life. Welcoming the stranger is not just a social duty—it is a Gospel imperative.
Biblical Foundation: A Call to Welcome
From the earliest days, Scripture has emphasized the responsibility to welcome and care for the stranger:
• The Old Testament commands compassion for immigrants, reminding the Israelites of their own history as foreigners: “You shall not oppress a stranger; you yourselves know how it feels to be a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9) • Jesus identifies Himself with the migrant and the marginalized in one of the most profound teachings of the Gospel: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35) • St. Paul reminds us that in Christ, all barriers fall away: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
To welcome the stranger is to welcome Christ Himself. The way we treat immigrants, refugees, and those in need is a reflection of our faith and our commitment to living the Gospel.
Catholic Social Teaching: A Call to Action
The Church teaches that every person has the right to live in dignity—to provide for their family, to be safe from harm, and to seek a better future. Migration is often a matter of survival, not choice.
The U.S. Catholic Bishops remind us:
“We judge ourselves as a society by how we treat the most vulnerable among us.”
Pope Francis has been a powerful advocate for migrants and refugees, urging us to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate those who have been forced to leave their homes. He reminds us:
“It is not just about migrants, it is about all of us.”
Welcoming the stranger is not simply about charity—it is about justice. It is about recognizing the common humanity we share and ensuring that no one is left to suffer alone.
September: Welcoming the Stranger Month
Each September, the Church dedicates time to reflecting on the plight of migrants and refugees, renewing our commitment to compassion, hospitality, and justice. This is a time for us to:
✅ Pray for those who have been forced to flee their homes, that they may find safety and dignity.✅ Educate ourselves and our communities on the realities of migration and Church teaching.✅ Support organizations that provide aid, shelter, and advocacy for migrants and refugees.✅ Speak out against injustice, advocating for policies that respect human dignity and promote the common good.✅ Extend a hand of welcome in our parishes and neighborhoods, ensuring that no one feels like a stranger in our midst.
Building a Culture of Encounter and Solidarity
The stranger we welcome today may be our brother or sister in Christ, our neighbor, our friend. By opening our hearts and communities, we build bridges instead of walls and create a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
As Pope Francis challenges us:
“The Church must be a place of welcome, a home where everyone can feel included, regardless of where they come from.”
May we live out this mission daily, remembering that we are all pilgrims on this earth, journeying toward our true home in God’s kingdom.
Because in the end, when we welcome the stranger, we welcome Christ Himself. Prayer for Welcoming the Stranger
Heavenly Father,
You are the Creator of all people,the God who calls us to live in unity as one human family.From the beginning, You have taught us to welcome the stranger,to open our hearts to those in need,and to see Your presence in the faces of the displaced, the lost, and the forgotten.
Lord, today we lift up to You all migrants and refugees,those forced to leave their homes because of war, persecution, poverty, and suffering.Be their shelter in the storm, their hope in despair, their light in the darkness.Comfort those who travel unknown paths,who are separated from their loved ones,who long for a place to call home.
Help us, O Lord, to be instruments of Your love.Give us the courage to welcome,the wisdom to understand,and the generosity to share what we have.Let our parishes, our communities, and our heartsbe places of safety, belonging, and hospitality.
Teach us to see Christ in the stranger,to recognize that in loving our neighbor, we love You.May we never turn away from those in need,but instead, open our arms in solidarity,building bridges instead of walls,and creating a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
Lord, in a world so often divided by fear,make us instruments of Your peace.Let our actions reflect Your mercy,our words bring comfort,and our lives be a testimony to Your boundless love.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
In a world where millions are displaced due to war, persecution, poverty, and environmental crises, the Church stands as a beacon of hope, advocating for migrants, refugees, and all those seeking a better life. Welcoming the stranger is not just a social duty—it is a Gospel imperative.
Biblical Foundation: A Call to Welcome
From the earliest days, Scripture has emphasized the responsibility to welcome and care for the stranger:
• The Old Testament commands compassion for immigrants, reminding the Israelites of their own history as foreigners: “You shall not oppress a stranger; you yourselves know how it feels to be a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9) • Jesus identifies Himself with the migrant and the marginalized in one of the most profound teachings of the Gospel: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35) • St. Paul reminds us that in Christ, all barriers fall away: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
To welcome the stranger is to welcome Christ Himself. The way we treat immigrants, refugees, and those in need is a reflection of our faith and our commitment to living the Gospel.
Catholic Social Teaching: A Call to Action
The Church teaches that every person has the right to live in dignity—to provide for their family, to be safe from harm, and to seek a better future. Migration is often a matter of survival, not choice.
The U.S. Catholic Bishops remind us:
“We judge ourselves as a society by how we treat the most vulnerable among us.”
Pope Francis has been a powerful advocate for migrants and refugees, urging us to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate those who have been forced to leave their homes. He reminds us:
“It is not just about migrants, it is about all of us.”
Welcoming the stranger is not simply about charity—it is about justice. It is about recognizing the common humanity we share and ensuring that no one is left to suffer alone.
September: Welcoming the Stranger Month
Each September, the Church dedicates time to reflecting on the plight of migrants and refugees, renewing our commitment to compassion, hospitality, and justice. This is a time for us to:
✅ Pray for those who have been forced to flee their homes, that they may find safety and dignity.✅ Educate ourselves and our communities on the realities of migration and Church teaching.✅ Support organizations that provide aid, shelter, and advocacy for migrants and refugees.✅ Speak out against injustice, advocating for policies that respect human dignity and promote the common good.✅ Extend a hand of welcome in our parishes and neighborhoods, ensuring that no one feels like a stranger in our midst.
Building a Culture of Encounter and Solidarity
The stranger we welcome today may be our brother or sister in Christ, our neighbor, our friend. By opening our hearts and communities, we build bridges instead of walls and create a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
As Pope Francis challenges us:
“The Church must be a place of welcome, a home where everyone can feel included, regardless of where they come from.”
May we live out this mission daily, remembering that we are all pilgrims on this earth, journeying toward our true home in God’s kingdom.
Because in the end, when we welcome the stranger, we welcome Christ Himself. Prayer for Welcoming the Stranger
Heavenly Father,
You are the Creator of all people,the God who calls us to live in unity as one human family.From the beginning, You have taught us to welcome the stranger,to open our hearts to those in need,and to see Your presence in the faces of the displaced, the lost, and the forgotten.
Lord, today we lift up to You all migrants and refugees,those forced to leave their homes because of war, persecution, poverty, and suffering.Be their shelter in the storm, their hope in despair, their light in the darkness.Comfort those who travel unknown paths,who are separated from their loved ones,who long for a place to call home.
Help us, O Lord, to be instruments of Your love.Give us the courage to welcome,the wisdom to understand,and the generosity to share what we have.Let our parishes, our communities, and our heartsbe places of safety, belonging, and hospitality.
Teach us to see Christ in the stranger,to recognize that in loving our neighbor, we love You.May we never turn away from those in need,but instead, open our arms in solidarity,building bridges instead of walls,and creating a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
Lord, in a world so often divided by fear,make us instruments of Your peace.Let our actions reflect Your mercy,our words bring comfort,and our lives be a testimony to Your boundless love.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.