Migrant Ministry Begins in Mexico

In late 2023 a new stage began for the Redemptorists of the North American Conference. In the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, in the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a group of Mexican and North American confreres gathered to begin the border mission focusing on the migrant ministry.

The mission was inagurated on the feast of the Assumption with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Matamoros, Monsignor Eugenio Lira. In addition to the Redemptorists, an enthusiastic group of parishioners, numerous diocesan priests and some Vincentian religious were also present. The liturgical service was impeccable and several confreres in a situation of migration participated actively in the mass.

In order to give order and leave a record of this fact, a contract was signed for 4 years with the Diocese of Matamoros. During this time, some of our Redemptorist confreres, both from Mexico and the United States, will take a project of attention to migrants of the diocese and will continue the work based on our Redemptorist charism.

To begin this joint work with the Diocese of Matamoros, two Mexican Redemptorists have been appointed: Brother Jesús Roberto Ávalos Hernández (who will also serve as superior of this new community) and Father Leonardo Moctezuma Mora. The mission is also supported by confreres from the Denver and Baltimore Province.

We request your prayers and support for this new mission with migrants that seeks to respond to the call to be missionaries of hope in the footsteps of the Redeemer. —Fr. Agustin Cantu, CSsR., Scala News