'We Can Do Better'

As I took my first steps yesterday, the first of 100 miles-worth, the main hope I held was to see Pope Francis. But, if not that, at least that he sees our walk and echoes our stories.

Before I got involved in this movement for immigrant rights, I had been a “Catholic Lite” — only going to mass on Sunday out of habit and praying by the book. One event changed my mind — and my life. My daughter dedicated herself to the cause of migrant dignity before I did. It was her work that inspired me. But when one of her friends decided to do a hunger strike against SB 1070, I was confused and angry. I even called her to demand answers, even though she wasn’t even in the state at the time!

Around that time, I heard about a vigil that was happening outside the Arizona State Capitol. I wasn’t familiar with politics, but something drew me to the event. I walked around the capitol building for a long time by myself, because I didn’t see any of the candles, pictures of saints, or things that I thought made a “vigil.” Eventually someone pointed to a few people gathered under a tree with one candle and a small banner of Our Lady. As much as I was not sure how to pray without a book, these people knew less — but they had a lot more faith.

They inspired me. I led prayers with my books and ended up staying at that vigil for 102 days, staying at a monastery nearby, and going home only occasionally to check on things.

This pilgrimage reminds me of that experience. We are walking — 100 women from all over the country, each with our own story of migration, joy, and hardship — to echo the pope’s message on immigration. Pope Francis is a very influential person who understands that humanity is one body and the world is our home. He knows that separation of families does not fit with that idea. That is why I am walking. I am walking for my family, for families everywhere, and even for all of humanity. Pope Francis can touch the hearts of any person, of any religion, even Congress or President Obama.

I wouldn’t be walking if it weren’t important to me. That’s why we’ve set out on this journey over the next week and why we have put our hope and our faith in Pope Francis to carry our stories with him and issue a call of dignity to Congress and the president. With his charisma and goodwill, the pope can inspire all of us to care about starting a better world with our fellow men [and women]. A world without love is a world of pain, and we can do better.