Migrants and Refugees Mass: the universal Church in all its splendor

Eastern European floral prints were resplendent next to elaborate Asian headdresses at this year’s Mass celebrating the annual World Day for Migrants and Refugees.

The event’s attendance was back to pre-COVID numbers, and St. Paul’s Church in Richmond was packed to capacity. An African choir provided music during Communion, and several hundred people attended a post-Mass reception with ethnic food served from many of the cultures present and performances by cultural choirs and dancers. 

In his homily, Father Richard Zanotti said it’s essential that migrants and refugees don’t get blamed for seeking a life of dignity.

 “The universality of the Church is made visible by all of you gathered for this Eucharist, many cultures around one table to celebrate God’s love for us all,” said the Scalabrinian pastor of St. Ann’s, where he works with migrant workers in the Fraser Valley.

The Church teaches us that we all have a right to a life of dignity, replete with basic human needs like food, shelter, medical attention, and dignified work, he said.

In his address for this year’s Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis said, “since the world’s resources are not unlimited, the development of the economically poorer countries depends on the capacity for sharing that we can manage to generate among all countries.”

Until that happens, “many people will still have to emigrate in order to seek a better life, a life worthy of dignity,” said the Pope.

Reflecting on the Pope’s message, Father Zanotti said it’s important not to blame migrants and refugees but to look at the world’s responsibility for supporting poor countries so their people don’t feel compelled to leave.

“We pray for the political will to do this in a safe and orderly way,” said Father Zanotti.

‘If I was caught, it could mean death’: a refugee’s testimony

As is the custom after the Mass, the audience heard from a Catholic refugee who shared her story of coming to Canada.

This year’s testimony came from an Eritrean woman who shared how she escaped the injustice of her home country. She asked that her name not be published.

“Thirteen years ago, I decided to leave Eritrea, the country that I grew up in and I loved.

“Under dictatorship, soldiers had put us forever in slavery. Life was unbearable, and we were working unpaid for the government. One day she went with a friend to a shoe store to buy plastic sandals, “the kind our freedom fighters wore during the 30-year war for independence in my country. I was ready for my journey to freedom in my freedom shoes.”

Her first obstacle was getting through all the checkpoints guarded by armed soldiers. Without the necessary documents, she came up with the idea of dressing up as an old woman using her grandmother’s clothes and long white shawl.

“After boarding my bus, it passed ten checkpoints on the way to the Ethiopian border. I pretended to sleep with my shawl over my face. If I was caught, it could mean death,” she said.

“After I got off the bus, I had to walk for four hours. Finally, I reached the border of Ethiopia in early morning. Soldiers were patrolling, and I could see Ethiopian soldiers in the trench at the top of the hill on the other side.

“A mob of children started to throw rocks when they saw me. ‘You’re not old. You’re running away!’ they shouted.

“These kids had been brainwashed to believe that their country was the Star of Africa. Whoever tried to escape was a spy or a betrayer.”

She suddenly had the idea to offer her shoes to the children.

“God was with me. One kind child gave me hope. He shouted, ‘Let her go!’ Hearing that, I threw my shoes to him for my freedom.

I started to run with bare feet toward the hill where the soldiers from Ethiopia were on guard. My feet started to bleed on the sharp rocks. I fell. An Ethiopian soldier rushed over and helped me up.

With the touch of his hand, I started my decade-long journey through the dark tunnel, through Ethiopia, Sudan, the Sahara Desert of Egypt, to Israel.

Finally, after 10 years, I stepped out of that darkness into the light, finding myself in Canada and breathing the air of freedom.

I have been here three years now, happily working and living with my family.

I thank God for all his wonderful blessings and guidance.”

World Day for Migrants and Refugees Photo Gallery

Photos by Nicholas Elbers