Migration

“It is necessary to respond to the globalization of migration with the globalization of charity and cooperation, in such a way as to make the conditions of migrants more humane. At the same time, greater efforts are needed to guarantee the easing of conditions, often brought about by war or famine, which compel whole peoples to leave their native countries.”

﹣Pope Francis, Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, September 3, 2014.

The Catholic Church upholds the right of people to migrate to flee oppression and poverty, calling people of faith to support and assist those who migrate in order to live in dignity and peace and to flourish as humans made in the image of God.

Migrant family at asylum rally in Nogales, Mexico

A migrant family shares their story during a rally for access to asylum at the US-Mexico border in 2021.

Discover a rich collection of resources that address the complex and pressing issue of migration through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. These materials highlight the Church’s commitment to the dignity of every human person, the call to solidarity, and the responsibility to welcome the stranger and protect the vulnerable.

On this page, you’ll find:

  • Prayers and Reflections: Spiritual tools inspired by Scripture and Catholic tradition to guide compassionate responses to the challenges faced by migrants, refugees, and displaced persons.
  • Educational Resources: Lesson plans, discussion guides, and classroom activities designed to explore the moral and ethical dimensions of migration.
  • Multimedia Content: Videos, articles, and infographics that bring the stories of migrants to life and highlight the Church’s teaching on justice, human dignity, and hospitality.
  • Advocacy Tools: Practical resources to support advocacy for humane migration policies and to foster community actions that uphold the rights and dignity of migrants.

These resources provide a comprehensive understanding of migration as a critical issue in today’s world, inviting educators, faith leaders, and advocates to reflect, learn, and act. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, they inspire individuals and communities to stand in solidarity with migrants and work toward a more just and compassionate society.

Immigration Reform: Resisting Indifference

The push for comprehensive immigration reform appears stalled in the House of Representatives. This update includes insights from Pope Francis and Archbishop Jose Gomez, along with a call for...

Immigration Reform

Congress will soon consider legislation to fix the broken U.S. immigration system. Explore the issues through the lens of church teaching and prepare for more effective...

abUSed: The Postville Raid

abUSed: The Postville Raid explores the devastating effects of U.S. immigration enforcement policies on children, families, and communities. This two-page film guide includes questions for discussion...

“I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me”

Prayer Service
This three-page prayer service is an invitation to reflect on what it means to welcome the stranger in our midst. It concludes with suggestions on ways to put one’s faith in service to action by...

Connecting with the Migrant Experience

This 10-day unit invites students to connect with the experiences of immigrants through poetry, and reflect on the principles and values in Catholic Social Teaching that support migrants and the...

Guide to Films on Immigration

This resource is a list of recommended documentary and full-length feature films to spark reflection and discussion on immigration and the migrant experience.

A Timeline on Migration, Labor, and Immigration Laws, Part Three

Lesson Plan
This is the third and final installment of EFJ's lesson plan on the intersection of U.S. policy on immigration and labor. Part three covers from 1975 through 2012.

Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth): Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity, and Liberty

Prayer Service
This two-page prayer service invites us to reflect on the historic document Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) as we enter into the time of its drafting and release on April 11, 1963.  

A Timeline on Migration, Labor, and Immigration Laws, Part Two

Lesson Plan
This four page resource is the second part of a three part lesson plan. This installment looks at the intersection of U.S. policy on immigration and labor from 1900 through 1975.

A Timeline on Migration, Labor, and Immigration Laws, Part One

Lesson Plan
This four page resource reviews key events in migration patterns and immigration laws in the U.S up until 1903. It raises central questions about the relationship between the need for labor and...

Prayer Service for Migrants

Prayer Service
Invite your community to prayerfully reflect on the needs of migrants with excerpts from relevant papal and episcopal statements. Participants are challenged to welcome migrants, and to offer them...

A Prayer To Our Lady of Guadalupe

Share this enchanting and simple prayer in honor of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.