World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Each year, the church around the world joins with the Pope to mark the World Day for Migrants and Refugees.

What is the World Day of Migrants and Refugees?

The Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for many different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for the challenges and increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers.

What is this year’s theme?

This year’s celebration is being held on Sunday 26th September and Pope Francis has chosen the theme: “Towards an ever wider ‘we'”

In his message for the day, Pope Francis appeals to us to build a universal “we” — to journey together for the sake of renewing the human family, building together a future of justice and peace, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

In order to ensure the proper care of our common home, the Holy Father calls on us to come together to create communion within diversity. We must become a “we” that is ever wider and more co-responsible, in the profound conviction that whatever good is done in our world is done for present and future generations. Ours must be a personal and collective commitment that cares for all our brothers and sisters who continue to suffer

The message for the day is divided in to four separate sub-topics: “A we as wide as humanity”, “One church, one home, one family”, “a church that reaches out” and “Learning to live together.”

Watch the Pope’s message below

What can I do to mark the World Day of Migrants and Refugees?

This year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be marked on Sunday 26th September with a mass at the Vatican and many will be celebrating the day around the world. There are several ways in which you can join us in marking the day. Below are some resources and suggestions for what you can do.

"We are called to dream together, fearlessly, as a single human family, as companions on the same journey, as sons and daughters of the same earth that is our common home, sisters and brothers all" - Pope Francis

Theological Pastoral reflections

The Vatican’s Migrants and Refugees Section have produced a series of Theological Pastoral reflections bringing the Pope’s message to life. Click on the links below to download each theme.

Reflection 1: “A we as wide as humanity” by Dr Anna Rowlands

Reflection 2:“One church, one home, one family” by Marcel Uwineza SJ

Reflection 3: “A church that reaches out” by Marcel Uwineza SJ”

Reflection 4: “Learning to live together” by Dr. Hania M. Fedorowicz

Reflection 5: “Building a ‘we’ that cares for our common home” by Dr. Hania M. Fedorowicz

Reflection 6: “Dreaming together as one human family” by Sarah Teather

Prayer resources

The Migrants and Refugees Section also offer free video and prayer resources which reflect on scripture around each sub-topic. Click on the links below for specific resources.

Read Pope Francis’s Message

Sit and reflect on the words of the Holy Father.

Click here to read Pope Francis’ message in full on the Vatican Website.

Support JRS UK

There are many ways you can help support the work of JRS and play a crucial role in welcoming destitute and detained refuges here in the UK, who are subjected to the hostile environment policies.

Donate to our work

Donate items urgently needed

Organise a toiletry collection

Volunteer with us

Pray with us

Share a message of support

One of the important aspects of the day is to bring in to focus a group of people who are often made to feel marginalised. Why not share a positive message of support to express solidarity for migrants and refugees on social media?

You can find us on:

Twitter: @JRSUK

Facebook: jesuitrefugeeserviceuk

Download visual resources you can share online by visiting the Vaticans Migrant and Refugee Section website