By Sr Irene Minde.
The journey of a refugee or migrant often begins with a painful goodbye. It may be the hurried
closing of a door, the embrace of a loved one, or the silent tears of a child who does not
understand why home must be left behind. Behind every journey is a human story of fear,
courage, loss, and hope. The Catholic Church has always sought to welcome people who are
suffering, displaced, or searching for a safer and more dignified life. Inspired by the Gospel and
the compassionate love of Christ, the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of
Mary (MCESM) is also committed to walking with refugees and migrants through prayer,
pastoral care, education, among others. They step into this space of journeying with refugees, not
with solutions, but with presence. Not with a plan to fix everything, but with the willingness to
sit beside someone who feels the dreams have been shuttered, and simply stay with them.
The congregation’s mission reaches people in Uganda, South Sudan, and Italy. In each place, the
sisters encounter individuals and families who have experienced conflict, poverty, separation,
uncertainty, and the painful challenge of beginning again. Some have fled violence; others have
left their homes because they could no longer provide for their children. Many carry memories
that cannot easily be spoken, while others carry only a small bag and the hope that tomorrow will
be better than yesterday.
To be displaced is not simply to lose a house. It can mean losing a sense of belonging, security,
identity, and peace. A mother may wonder how she will feed her children. A father may feel
helpless because he cannot find work. A young person may fear that education and dreams have
come to an end. An elderly person may struggle with a new language, culture, or environment.
Families may be separated for months or years, holding on to the hope of seeing one another
again. It is in such moments of vulnerability that the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary seek to bring
the compassionate presence of the Catholic Church. The congregation not only helps but also
accompanies; listening to the stories of the vulnerable, sharing their burdens, praying with them,
encouraging them, and reminding them that their lives have value and meaning.
Sometimes, the most important gift is simply presence. A visit to a lonely family, a conversation
with a frightened mother, a smile offered to a child, or a hand-held during prayer can
communicate what words cannot: You are not forgotten. You are not alone.
In Uganda, the Sisters accompany refugees and vulnerable communities by responding to their
spiritual, social, educational, and practical needs. They strive to create spaces where people feel
welcomed, respected, and safe. Particular attention is given to children, women, and families
who are most at risk.
Children carry deep wounds of displacement. They may have witnessed violence, lost relatives,
left school, or been separated from friends. Some become quiet; others express pain through fear
or anger. Yet every child retains a desire to learn, play, laugh, and dream. Through education,
care, encouragement, and safe environments, the Sisters help children recover confidence. A
classroom can become a place of healing. A teacher’s encouragement can awaken a dream. A
school uniform, book, or meal can tell a child, Your future matters.
For instance, in South Sudan, the Sisters continue to accompany communities affected by
conflict, displacement, and hardship. Many people are struggling to rebuild their lives after
losing homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. The presence of the sisters among them is a sign of
solidarity and faith. Through pastoral accompaniment, prayer, education, and practical support,
the sisters walk with families as they seek to recover hope.
In Italy, the sisters’ mission extends to migrants and refugees trying to begin a new chapter of
their lives. Although they may have reached a place of greater safety, their struggles do not end
at the border. They may face language barriers, loneliness, cultural differences, unemployment,
legal uncertainty, and the pain of being far from family.
The Sisters seek to offer a welcoming presence to those who may feel invisible or unwanted.
Through listening, guidance, prayer, and practical support, we help people adapt to new
surroundings while respecting their culture, dignity, and personal history. We remind them that
they are not merely strangers or numbers; they are beloved children of God and valuable
members of the human family.
Women and children receive particular attention because they are often especially vulnerable
during displacement. Mothers may carry the responsibility of protecting their children while
silently carrying their own pain. Some have lost husbands, homes, or livelihoods. Others have
endured experiences they find difficult to share. Through compassionate listening, pastoral care,
encouragement, and practical assistance, the Sisters help them rediscover their strength.
The presence of the Sisters in Africa, Europe, America, and Cuba is a testimony to the Church’s
commitment to human life. We seek to make the love of Christ visible through concrete acts of
service. No one should be rejected because of nationality, status, poverty, or circumstance. Every
person deserves to be welcomed, respected, and allowed to live with dignity.
The stories of refugees and migrants remind us that displacement can take away homes,
possessions, and familiar surroundings, but it must never take away hope. With compassion,
education, prayer, friendship, and practical support, people can find the courage to begin again.