By Verghese V Joseph –
In light of the tragic COVID-19 events that marked the year 2020, Holy Father Francis on the occasion of the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, dedicated this year’s message to internally displaced persons, to all those who have found themselves living and still live experiences of precariousness, abandonment, marginalization and rejection.
This year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees which will be celebrated Sunday, September 27, 2020, will dwell on the theme: “Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee. Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating internally displaced persons ”.
He called on everyone to “Welcome, protect, promote and integrate internally displaced persons.”
Earlier this year, in his speech to the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis counted the drama of internally displaced people among the challenges of the contemporary world: “Conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, aggravated by climatic upheavals, increase the number of displaced persons and affect people who already live in a state of serious poverty. Many of the countries affected by these situations lack adequate structures that allow to meet the needs of those who have been displaced.”
Incidentally, the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Department for Integral Human Development has published the “Pastoral Guidelines on Internally Displaced Persons” (Vatican City, 5 May 2020), a document that aims to inspire and animate the pastoral actions of the Church in this particular area.
For these reasons, the Holy Father decided to dedicate this message to the drama of internally displaced persons, an often invisible drama, which the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated. “This crisis, in fact, due to its vehemence, gravity and geographic extent, has reduced many other humanitarian emergencies that afflict millions of people, relegating international initiatives and aid, essential and urgent to save lives, at the bottom of national political agendas. But «this is not the time of forgetfulness. The crisis we are facing does not make us forget many other emergencies that bring with it the suffering of many people,” Pope Francis had said in Urbi et Orbi Message on April 12, 2020.
Pope Francis began his reflection from the icon that inspired Pope Pius XII in drafting the Apostolic Constitution Exsul Familia (August 1, 1952). In the flight to Egypt, the little Jesus experiences, together with his parents, the tragic condition of displaced person and refugee “marked by fear, uncertainty, inconvenience (cf Mt 2 : 13-15.19-23-23).
Holy Father elaborated further, “Unfortunately, in our day, millions of families can recognize themselves in this sad reality. Almost every day the television and newspapers give news of refugees fleeing hunger, war, other serious dangers, looking for security and a dignified life for themselves and their families”.
“When we talk about migrants and displaced people too often we stop at the numbers. But it’s not about numbers, it’s about people! If we meet them we will get to know them. And knowing their stories we will be able to understand. We will be able to understand, for example, that the precariousness that we have experienced with suffering due to the pandemic is a constant element of the life of displaced persons,” he added.
The Holy Father concluded with a prayer suggested by the example of St. Joseph, in particular when he was forced to flee to Egypt to save the Child.
Father, You have entrusted to Saint Joseph what you had most precious: the Child Jesus and his mother, to protect them from the dangers and threats of the wicked.
Also allow us to experience his protection and help. He, who has experienced the suffering of those who flee because of the hatred of the powerful, make it possible to comfort and protect all those brothers and sisters who, driven by wars, poverty and needs, leave their home and their home. earth to set out as refugees to safer places.
Help them, through their intercession, to have the strength to go on, comfort in sadness, courage in trial.
Give those who welcome them a little of the tenderness of this just and wise father, who loved Jesus like a true son and supported Mary along the way.
May he, who earned bread with the work of his hands, be able to provide for those to whom life has taken everything away, and give them the dignity of a job and the serenity of a home.
We ask you for Jesus Christ, your Son, whom St. Joseph saved by fleeing to Egypt, and through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, whom he loved as a faithful spouse according to your will. Amen.