On 5th May, parishioners from across the Dioceses of Westminster, Brentwood and Southwark gathered in Westminster Cathedral for the annual Mass for Migrants, a much-loved event bringing together international Catholics from across the three London dioceses.
Celebrated by Archbishop George Stack, the Mass opened with a procession to the hymn ‘All Are Welcome,’ in which participants carried their national flags and banners, with many also wearing their national dress and colours. An impressive range of countries and ethnic chaplaincies was present, including Brazil, Eritrea, China, DR Congo, Nigeria, India, Poland, the Philippines and many others.
The liturgy was enlivened by international hymns like the Yoruba Tewo Gbebo Wa, and featured groups of musicians singing in Konkani and Tamil.
The homily was preached by Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, who focused on the example of St Joseph the Worker and the theme of the Dignity of Workers, one of the strands of Catholic Social Teaching. He reflected:
What we’re celebrating today is not just our international diversity but how the migrant population of London… contributes so much to our city through the world of work. It says so much about the heart of this great city as a city fuelled through its international workforce, a workforce who deserve always to be made feel welcome and at home here, to thrive here in professional life, to put down roots, and so to help shape what London has always been about: a place where the whole world meets and where peoples from across cultures build a civic society which promotes civilisation through the dignity of fulfilling work.
Attendees also included members of other churches, faiths and the civil authorities, as well as representatives from Caritas Westminster, Westminster Justice & Peace, CAFOD, Citizens UK, the Jesuit Refugee Service, and other organisations whose work includes support and advocacy for migrants.
The Mass ended with moving speeches from people supporting Asylum Seekers and Refugees; a poignant reminder of the struggles that migrants continue to face in our society and of Christ’s own words: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ (Matthew 25:35).
After the Mass, attendees mingled outside Westminster Cathedral, for photographs, joyful eruptions of music and dance, and the chance to meet clergy and other parishioners.
The Dioceses of Westminster, Brentwood and Southwark take turns to host the event in their respective Cathedrals, and look forward to marking the Mass for Migrants again next year.
See more photos here.
