In the photo: Holy Mass for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 in the diocese of Porto-Santa Rufina.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 was celebrated by the Dioceses of Porto-Santa Rufina and Civitavecchia-Tarquinia on September 29 at the parish of the Sacred Heart in Ladispoli.
José Manuel Torres Origel, S. de J., as head of the Office for the Pastoral Care of Migrants of the Diocese of Porto-Santa Rufina. Also present were communities of believers from the Philippines, Poland, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine and some Latin American countries, as well as the Italian faithful and the various community leaders, priests, religious and lay people.
The event had three moments: testimonies, the celebration of the Holy Mass in different languages presided by the bishop of both dioceses, Msgr. Gianrico Ruzza culminating with dinner, dances and typical songs of the communities represented in this event.
Gianrico Ruzza (center) presiding at the Mass accompanied by other priests and Fr. José Manuel Torres Origel, S. de J. (second row, far left).
“Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating”.
The Pastoral Care of Migrants of the Diocese of Porto-Santa Rufina follows the recommendation of Pope Francis to “welcome, protect, promote and integrate” the migrant in the diocesan territory (whether they are believers or not) and the Italians of this territory who live abroad.
The pastoral has an international team to study and reflect on the migratory phenomenon and generate proposals for pastoral processes, especially in the field of evangelization, bearing in mind that we are moving towards an increasingly multicultural society and the processes of integration are difficult for many people. “It is a very long road of charity to travel, fascinating and complex, always in continuous dynamism” expressed Fr. José Manuel, S. de J.
By Fr. Pedro R. Hernández Pérez, S. de J.