“Our world will be colourful, and full of creative energy. Clean, fresh air will fill each one’s lungs and everywhere green shoots of new life will transmit hope for the future.
Everyone walks with confidence, secure in the knowledge that they belong in the world and belong to one another and will be welcomed whichever country they arrive in.
Being part of one human family we walk with joy, look on one another with love, and delight in our differences. Colour creed, ethnicity brings great beauty and variety, which we treasure.
Intelligence is valued as one gift amongst a whole host of gifts. In the scale of values open hearts and generosity come top. We will always, being human, have people who are poor and weak in our midst. Some lack life skills so, yes, our family will still have members who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and have to be punished for wrongdoing but we will find alternatives to prison and create ways of restorative justice.
Each nation will share knowledge and skills to cope best with sickness and life-threatening weather and determine to trade fairly so that everyone can live with dignity and joy.
The aim of each one will be to open his or her arms “to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important.” (Pope Francis, 19th March 2013)
Sr Vianney volunteers with JRS UK’s detention outreach team, accompanying those held at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centres.
This prayer is part of the ‘JRS Imagines’ anthology, for Refugee Week. You can read more from the collection here.
Find out more about what’s happening at JRS UK during Refugee Week