On the 1st of May 2021, in London, our Parish, St. William of York, celebrated the 16th ‘Mass for Migrants’. This Mass has been celebrated every May Bank Holiday since 2006, when it was first introduced by the then Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Conner. Each year since then, the event has reminded Londoners of the invaluable contribution so many migrants make to the city’s society and economy. It offers a profound witness to the infinite dignity of the human person given by God, and calls us to a deeper understanding of refugee and migrant concerns.
This year, the Mass was celebrated by Bishop Paul McAleenan, responsible for migrants and refugees through the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Due to the pandemic, the celebration had a limited number of participants, but the joy and gratitude was so much in evidence by the diversity of music and song, as well as the testimony of people working closely with many migrant people. In his homily, Bishop Paul recognized that migrants have given, and continue to give, a great contribution to the church and society in the UK. This year, their contribution was very deep, vital, and central, he said, and migrants are a Gift that all of us are called to protect, look after,
and love with all our heart and strength.
In these photos above, you can see the statue of Mother Cabrini (left side of the altar, near the Organist), which was
installed in 2019 in St. William of York Church, and together we pray to her asking her loving protection
for all migrants. (Thanks to Sr. Patricia MSC for this article)
