THE FAMILIES arriving at the Sacred Heart Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, all come with one thing in common—a high sense of hope and faith in God. Much like the Holy Family, these families were forced to flee because they feared for the lives of their children.
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley began a humanitarian crisis-relief program in the summer of 2014 to respond to the influx of immigrants crossing the border who didn’t have a place to rest. Many are fleeing the violence in Central America. In El Salvador, for example, the murder rate has more than doubled since 2012 and soon will pass that of Honduras, which has the highest murder rate per capita in the world.
With the help of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and hundreds of volunteers, we were able to open a place of safety for refugees before they continue on their journey. For these holy families, it is the love for their children that moves them to face all possible dangers by traveling north.
In the biblical story, St. Joseph was a “just man” and faithful. He was forewarned of Herod’s imperial violence and fled the country to protect his wife and infant son. At our center the fathers are also men of profound dedication and attentiveness to the needs of their families.
One young dad had left his home in Central America with his pregnant wife and their two little girls. His wife gave birth in Mexico. As they prepared to cross the Rio Grande into the U.S., he and the baby became separated from his wife and two daughters. He lost them. When he and the 1-month-old baby arrived at our center, he had no idea if his wife and two little girls were alive or if he would ever see them again. Yet he remained hopeful they would be reunited. The next day, a woman with two little girls arrived at the center. Their story sounded familiar. They’d become separated from the rest of their family while crossing the river. What a moment of joy! We immediately had her call her husband. Soon, all were rested, clean, and together.
Unfortunately, many who make the journey relate experiences of abuse by their traffickers and of predators who search them out to exploit them. For example, a mother arrived with her 11-year-old daughter. The woman had begged the traffickers not to hurt her little girl. Instead, they abused the mother in the most beastly and inhumane ways. She cried silently, hiding her pain from her daughter.
The mothers remind me very much of Mary, who lived an uncertain, painful reality as the mother of Jesus and, at the same time, did everything with profound love and hope in God. In her advent season, waiting to give birth to our Lord, she patiently met all they faced as a family searching for a safe place for her baby to be born. The conditions they encountered were not the best. But what was most important to the Holy Family was that their child was protected and safe.
Immigrant mothers arriving at our center reflect an extraordinary love for their children. They are determined to face all danger and adversity as they set out to find a better life. At the same time, they cry silently, remembering the desperate situations they’ve fled and the pain and fear they face and that they will continue to face in a future of unknowns.
Parents with such resilience and tenderness for their young children are extraordinary people. They are not fragile or broken by adversity, but strong and full of love and compassion. They set an example for us. As of August, we have assisted more than 23,000 such individuals at our respite center.
Like them, we can turn to our loving God for strength and reassurance in our lives. No matter what we face, we are protected. In the midst of our Advent journey, if we will only look, we will encounter our Lord.
Sister Norma Pimentel is the Executive Director for Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!