From the Editor

Immigration — and what is happening right now to immigrants in our country — is something we simply cannot be silent about. We received various letters and comments on my interview with Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, in our Fall issue of Maryknoll, and some of them, both pro and con, are printed in our Readers’ Responses. Immigration is an important issue for the Catholic Church, particularly in this country that was founded by and built up by immigrants. Since its early days, the Maryknoll movement has ministered to refugees and displaced people, and to this day Maryknoll missioners serve migrants here and abroad. We return to that topic in this issue with a photo meditation by Father Joseph Vereroso on Mother Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants. In a moving reflection, Sister Catherine DeVito, who serves in Florida’s farmworker country, writes of the trauma being inflicted on the children of migrant families by our government’s indiscriminate and frighteningly cruel campaign of mass deportations. In another article, Deacon Leonel Yoque tells us the inspiring story of his journey: from Guatemala as an undocumented migrant fleeing his country’s political violence, to becoming a permanent deacon who leads Maryknoll immersion trips to his country of origin that help participants better understand its realities. Often, those who show compassion for migrants are accused to advocating “open borders.” Having compassion for those in need and those who are suffering is not a political position; it is taking Jesus’ words literally. Lynn F. MonahanEditor-in-Chief