The Sept. 29 Mass of Solidarity for World Day of Migrants and Refugees at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis recognizes local diversity and a global effort to support and pray for vulnerable individuals who are on the move, Archbishop Bernard Hebda said on the “Practicing Catholic” radio show that debuts at 9 p.m. Sept. 27.
“As I came out (to the archdiocese) first as an administrator, and got a little bit of the lay of the land and began going around to our parishes, I realized the great diversity that we have here,” the archbishop told host Patrick Conley on the program that airs on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
“People from many different backgrounds, different continents, a good number of immigrants who are here and who come to the Church really to be nourished by the Eucharist, but then also bring their gifts,” the archbishop said. “Part of me, just from that experience, wanted to highlight the wonderful ways in which we’re enriched by a diverse community.”
Archbishop Hebda pointed to Pope Francis highlighting the role migrants play in the Catholic Church. Because ministry to migrants is a prominent part of Pope Francis’ ministry, it should have prominence in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the archbishop said.
“We’re blessed to be able to hold the Mass this year on the 29th of September,” Archbishop Hebda said. “We’re blessed to have it at the Basilica of St. Mary. It always seems to me that Mary is our mother and is mother of all cultures. One of the things that’s always amazed me is that every culture has images of Mary that reflect their own culture, but also claim her closeness to them.”
Archbishop Hebda explained that Pope Francis’ theme for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees is “God walks with his people.” Before the Mass at the Basilica, Aztec dancers will perform a dance outside the Basilica’s doors that is only used for celebrations involving Mary.
“We read in Scripture about the one bread, the one body and how it is that we’re united in the Eucharist,” Archbishop Hebda said. “For us to come together from many cultures –– and at the Mass of Solidarity, we use a number of languages, we try to have representatives from the different continents each year … but it’s that sense of how all of us are drawn to the Eucharist and are drawn to that unity that Jesus desires for his Church.”
To learn more about the Mass of Solidarity, tune into “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. Sept. 27 and 2 p.m. Sept. 28.
The program also includes an interview with DeAnn Bradel about the different vocations God calls people to and a women’s retreat planned for October. Also, Tim Healy, executive director of Extreme Faith Camp, and John Sullivan, the camp’s parish liaison, talk about Extreme Faith Camp and Family Camp.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program can also be heard after it has aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
