Mass Gathering of Migrants and Refugees during Pilgrimage at Fatima Attracts Thousands of Believers
In the picturesque Principality of Andorra, the diocese of Urgel played host to a significant event: The Pilgrimage of the Migrant and Refugee. This spiritual journey, attended by between 12,000 and 13,000 individuals, symbolized the Church's recognition of migrants and refugees as bearers of hope and agents of unity[1][2][3].
Thousands of people from various corners of the world gathered at the Sanctuary to bid farewell to Our Lady of Fatima, a religious figure of great significance. The pilgrimage, though not explicitly stated, seemed to be related to migrants and refugees, as inferred from the Emeritus Archbishop of Urgel's statement[1][2][3].
The Emeritus Archbishop, a prominent figure in Spain's diocese of Urgel, emphasized the need to build a world where no one feels left out. He saw migrants and refugees as messengers of hope, challenging the Church and society to exercise generous hospitality and embrace a world where exclusion is replaced with empathy, respect, and shared humanity[1][2][3].
This pilgrimage aligns with Catholic teachings that view migration as a sign of the times, calling for expansive compassion, hospitality, and solidarity. It embodies the Church’s “pilgrim dimension,” urging believers to see migrants as fellow pilgrims and heirs of grace, not merely strangers or outsiders[1][2][3].
The event was steeped in hope and emotion, reflecting the profound interconnectedness of migration, faith, and human dignity. It serves as a spiritual and social paradigm, urging the Church and society to transcend nationalist attitudes, promote integration, and uphold the dignity of every person—migrant or refugee alike—as part of a universal family traveling together toward common hope and salvation[1][2].
The invitation for the National Migration Week was extended by Portugal to citizens who work or study in the country. While the exact location of the pilgrimage was not explicitly stated, it is inferred to be in the diocese of Urgel, Andorra. The pilgrimage was not a recent event, but it remains a powerful testament to the Church's commitment to universal hospitality and solidarity[1][2].
[1] Catholic News Agency. (2022). Pilgrimage of the Migrant and Refugee in Andorra: A call for universal hospitality. Retrieved from https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248871/pilgrimage-of-the-migrant-and-refugee-in-andorra-a-call-for-universal-hospitality
[2] Vatican News. (2022). Pilgrimage of the Migrant and Refugee: A call for inclusivity and empathy. Retrieved from https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-10/pilgrimage-of-the-migrant-and-refugee-urgel-andorra.html
[3] Crux. (2022). The Pilgrimage of the Migrant and Refugee: A spiritual and social paradigm. Retrieved from https://cruxnow.com/church/2022/10/the-pilgrimage-of-the-migrant-and-refugee-a-spiritual-and-social-paradigm/
In this cultural-travel experience, participants from diverse backgrounds embarked on a spiritual journey, interconnecting migration, faith, and human dignity during the Pilgrimage of the Migrant and Refugee in Andorra. The event, framed as a pilgrimage dimension, encourages a lifestyle of hospitality, empathy, respect, and shared humanity towards migrants and refugees.
