At the beginning of November, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange along with associates, Academy of Our Lady of Peace students, Saint Joseph Workers of Orange, partners in mission and friends all journeyed to learn, be present and share compassion with our brothers, sisters and siblings seeking asylum. The organization Border Compassion planned the visit.
Border Compassion is an all-volunteer organization that was founded by Sister Suzanne Jabro, CSJ. The mission of Boder Compassion is to invite faith-communities to cross-over at the border to offer a compassionate humanitarian response to families living at the Posada del Migrante Shelter, which houses up to 300 people.
Centers like the Posada del Migrante Shelter provide migrants with food, clothing, shelter and other basic needs while they prepare to travel to their U.S. family members or sponsors. Sisters, associates and partners in ministry across the congregation have volunteered at these centers as well as provided funding and donations.
Visits at the beginning of November are particularly special, as they fall on Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). Much like All Souls’ Day, Día de los Muertos is a day for honoring loved ones who have gone before us. Families remember and share events and anecdotes about their departed loved ones, keeping their memories alive. Día de los Muertos is a sacred ritual that celebrates death and life by exchanging mourning for celebration.
At the Posada del Migrante Shelter, we honored our beloved departed with music, prayer, food and celebration. With the help of the families in the shelter, we created an ofrenda (offering) decorated with photos of the deceased and bright yellow marigold flowers. During the blessing for the Día de los Muertos marigolds, we shared some beautiful moments honoring our loved ones who have passed and were comforted knowing how close they are to us still.
Between the volunteers and shelter residents, there were many moments of connection, story sharing, line dancing and games. Sisters read books and played Jenga with the children. Our Lady of Peace high school students led the children in dancing the Macarena. The kids also took turns breaking open a piñata filled with treats. Some of the migrant women prepared a celebratory meal for the whole community. The kitchen crew said, “The meal was made with love! We put it in the food for all of you.”
Maggie Castellanos, an immigration lawyer, came to share information with the people about the asylum process and the current state of immigration in the United States. She held one-on-one meetings with those who requested privacy.
Families living in the Posada Shelter are following the legal immigration process and await their asylum appointment. Most residents have lived in the shelter for 4 to 11 months with critical fear cases.