On June 20, we celebrate World Refugee Day, welcoming and praying for all refugees, asylees, special immigrant visa holders, and other secondary migrants who were forced to flee the violence or destitution of their homelands. As we raise awareness for newcomers who have recently arrived in our country and Diocese, may we also stand with refugees and commemorate their courage, resilience and perseverance. May we always remember to “treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and … love him as yourself, for [we] were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus19:34).  

Join us as we show solidarity with refugees by remembering that they are here to flee from discrimination, violence and destitution. We can extend God’s love to these individuals by supporting the work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, whose Migration and Refugee Services office (CCDA MRS) has resettled more than 29,000 refugees and helped them successfully find jobs and integrate into our communities since 1975.