News & Updates
What do these migrants have in common?
Of the 200 migrants at this shelter in Reynosa, Mexico, 78% have been kidnapped.
“The Church is a Field Hospital” is a recurring theme of Pope Francis. Here at the US/Mexico border, these words invoke images of our migrants fleeing from one war zone of poverty and violence in their country of origin into another war zone at our border. We hear each day of kidnappings by the cartel in Reynosa, Mexico, where we minister at two shelters. We hear personal stories of physical, mental and sexual cruelty during days and months of being held for ransom. The violence and inhumanity are too horrible to describe in detail.
“The Church is a Field Hospital.” How do we minister to children who share: “I was kidnapped two times.” “They took everything; I have only these clothes.” “I have no life.” “I am scared.” “I have nothing.” “Am I safe?”
“The Church is a Field Hospital.” We talk among ourselves and with others who serve at the border of how we can change the situation in Reynosa, but we have no answers. We don’t know how to end this war. What we can do is accompany the migrants in the Field Hospital shelters, to try and help heal the wounds of the heart. We do what we can to release stress, anxiety and fear by praying with our migrants, listening to them, walking with them and letting them know how precious they are.
Thank you for your continued prayerful support. We are blessed!
Sisters Rose, Mary Elaine, Carmen