By Rani Punnasseril
New Delhi, Sept. 28, 2025: The Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi on September 28 witnessed a vibrant and moving celebration of the World Day and Jubilee of Migrants and Refugees.
The event brought together more than 250 people, including migrant communities, internally displaced persons, clergy, religious, and parishioners.
Auxiliary Bishop Deepak Tauro of Delhi, the main celebrant of the jubilee Mass, urged the faithful to walk as “Pilgrims of Hope” in solidarity with migrants and refugees
Bishop Tauro, the newly appointed chairman of the diocesan commission for migrants, in his homily, reminded the faithful that the jubilee of migrants is a call to be true “Pilgrims of Hope.” He stressed that migrants and refugees are not numbers but brothers and sisters with faces, stories, and dreams.
The migrants’ journeys mirror Christ himself, who was once a refugee, the bishop said.
“As Christians, we cannot remain indifferent; we are called to welcome, to build bridges, and to make room for them in our hearts and communities.”
He urged those present to move beyond words into action, living the Gospel through compassion and solidarity: “Every time we welcome the stranger and share what we have, we do not just help others; we become Christ to them.”
Following the Eucharist, the participants gathered in the Community Hall in the cathedral campus for cultural programs, games and fellowship.
Father Stephen Alathara, deputy secretary general of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), assured the migrants: “You are not alone, we are with you.” He emphasized that the Church stands firmly beside the migrants in their struggles and joys, describing their presence as “a living reminder of Christ who journeys with His people.”
Father Jaison Vadassery, executive secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants, thanked the community for their participation and reaffirmed the commission’s mission of accompaniment and care.
He assured migrants and refugees that the Church sees their struggles and journeys with them: “Your pain is our pain, your hopes are our hopes. The commission is here to listen, to support, and to stand by you as a family of faith.”
Performances by the Myanmar community, internally displaced persons from Manipur, and other migrant groups featuring songs in their regional languages were part of the celebration, highlighting both cultural identity and unity in faith.
The program was jointly organized by the CCBI Commission for Migrants and the Delhi Diocesan Commission for Migrants.
Migrants and refugees are ambassadors of the Good News. They arrive with skills, energies, goodwill, patience and zeal to collaborate with their distinguished hosts in serving Planet Earth, our common home. It’s a win-win equation for the migrants and their compassionate hosts.