“One Church, One Family” Events Held on Feast Day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2025

Washington, D.C.—A second wave of prayer actions was held on November 13 as part of the One Church, One Family: Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants campaign.

Catholic parishes, schools, and organizations across the country are holding their second day of prayer vigils and nonviolent gatherings on November 13 as part of the ongoing One Church, One Family: Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants campaign. The nationwide movement calls on people of faith to publicly demonstrate solidarity with migrant families, asylum seekers, and refugees as an expression of faith. Today’s events are being held on the Feast Day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants.

Amid ongoing humanitarian crises at the U.S.-Mexico border and increasing attacks on immigrants in our communities by federal authorities, One Church, One Family solidarity events proclaim the dignity of every person. More than 70 events were planned for November 13. Throughout October and November, Catholics held more 120 events total. Future events have not been determined but are likely to continue, organizers said.

The effort has been led by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, with NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Jesuits West, Jesuit Refugee Service USA, Kino Border Initiative, Sisters of Saint Joseph U.S. Federation, and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services. Participating organizations include Franciscan Action Network, Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jesuits USA East, Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Quixote Center, Pax Christi USA, School Sisters of Notre Dame Atlantic-Midwest Province, School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province, Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

“It’s central to our universal faith to welcome the stranger, to stand in solidarity with families who have sought refuge from violence and deprivation,” said Peggy Briggs of Sacramento, California. Briggs began working with local faith leaders to plan a rosary and interfaith vigil at federal immigration offices in Sacramento with her husband, Doug Thompson, after they returned from a border procession led by bishops to celebrate Mass in Sonora, Mexico on October 12. “Our immigrant neighbors have enriched our nation and should be embraced with love and dignity, as our church teaches.”

“We hope to communicate the truth that Jesus identifies with those who are suffering violence, as he did on the cross, and to invite people to see Jesus in the stranger with whom he identifies and who is being denied welcome, compassion, and basic dignity,” said Sr. Michelle Cimaroli, AIC, Director of the St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, Pennsylvania. She added that her faith in Jesus motivated her to witness outside an ICE office once again. “Hopefully, this will encourage more people to stand up and transform our gaze and our actions so we might become the compassionate presence we so desperately need in our communities right now.”

“Immigration is about the daily struggle of people seeking safety and dignity,” said Aniya Duffy-Broderick, a senior at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indiana. On November 13, the school planned to begin the day with a student-led prayer that ties in the day’s theme and invites everyone to events that day, including a letter-writing campaign, a Mass dedicated to St. Cabrini, and a prayer at the end of the day. “I am speaking out to ensure these human stories are heard, reminding everyone of the real lives at stake.”

Today’s vigils follow a Special Message issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops yesterday addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States. It marked the first time in twelve years the USCCB invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops.

For more information on One Church, One Family, visit: https://1family.us/

# # #