Border Ministry: Symposium on Human Dignity

by Sandra Salazar, RJM

from our sisters from USA-HAITI Province

Mater Dei Symposium on Human Dignity

On March 21, 2024 the Mater Dei Symposium on Human Dignity took place at Mater Dei Catholic High School. University professors, members of different ONGs, legal experts, border patrol agents and members of religious congregations were invited to share with students and faculty about the present lived reality of the migrants. 

Brother Keith Warner OFM invited me to partner with him in his presentation to talk about Social Catholic Teaching and Pope Francis’ invitation to journey with the migrants. Brother Keith is the Director of the Francisca Renewal Project for the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego. He is an expert and gives classes about migration. He shared about how being created in the image of God is at the center of our human dignity. He explained the relationship between human dignity and human rights. He also shared about Pope Fracis’ view on the right to migrate and the right to not have to migrate. I shared about my ministry at the border and about different hardships that the migrants experienced in their country of origin and during their journey to the United States. 

I gave examples of events in which the dignity of migrants was violated due to persecution, violence and injustice. I talked about Pope Francis invitation to be proactive by responding to the reality of migration by “welcoming”, “protecting”, “integrating” and “promoting” 1. 

The students expressed interest in the topic and asked questions about how to get involved in helping. I offered some ideas and provided my contact information to their teacher in case the school was interested in following up with a plan. After the presentation a group of presenters gather at the library for lunch. It was a good opportunity for networking and for learning about other programs that provide services to migrants in Tijuana.

1. Message of Pope Francis for the 104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2018. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/migration/documents/papa-francesco_20170815_world-migrants-day-2018.html

Border Ministry

 from our sisters from USA-HAITI Province

They shared: 

"Our profound experience connecting with our Mexican Province with young adults from Mexico City who lived with us and ministered to the migrants during their Holy Week Mission.  It was a very energizing experience as we shared mission and prayer reflections together."

This article was published in Bridges, at April.