Eucharistic Revival: The Eucharist and Ministry with Immigrants
Updated: Sep 11, 2023

Brothers and Sisters, I recorded the audio of this talk during the Encuentro for Region 9. Set during the 1st Session on the Eucharistic Revival. I gave my testimony about how the Eucharist informs my ministry. I focused specifically on my ministry to migrants.
It was an incredible opportunity for me to reflect on how my faith shapes and informs my work. The Meeting was attended by the Hispanic leadership of our Region and we had the participation of around 8-10 parishes from our diocese.
The recording is in Spanish, but I have the English text below.
Audio - Sesion 1_ Avivamiento Eucaristico - Testimonios
How the Eucharist Shapes My Ministry with Immigrants
Good morning, brothers, it is a pleasure to be with you at this Region 9 Gathering. Thank you to the organizers for this opportunity to share with all of you how the Eucharist shapes my ministry efforts. I want to focus specifically on my work with immigrants.
At the heart of my ministry lies a profound connection between the sacrament of the Eucharist and my work with immigrants. The Eucharist, with its message of unity, compassion, and unconditional love, has inspired me to extend the same level of care and understanding to each and every individual I encounter in my ministry. Through the sacred act of sharing the body and blood of Christ, I am reminded of the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, regardless of their background or circumstances. It is this profound realization that propels me to create a safe and inclusive space for immigrants, offering them not only practical assistance but also a sense of belonging and hope.
As I partake in the Eucharist, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and humility, recognizing that we are all equal in the eyes of God. This understanding compels me to extend the same level of compassion and care to immigrants, regardless of their cultural or social backgrounds. The Eucharist serves as a constant reminder that ministry is not about judgment or exclusion but about embracing the inherent dignity of every individual and providing them with the support they need to thrive.
The Eucharist also teaches me the importance of humility in ministry. Just as Jesus humbled himself to wash the feet of his disciples, I am called to humble myself in serving others, especially those who are marginalized and vulnerable. In the Eucharist, we are reminded of Jesus' example of selflessness and sacrificial love. It is this selflessness that drives me to go beyond the surface-level assistance and truly understand the needs and challenges faced by immigrants. By immersing myself in their experiences and listening to their stories, I am better able to provide the necessary support and advocate for their rights. The Eucharist compels me to be a servant leader, placing the needs of others above my own and working tirelessly to create a more just and inclusive society for immigrants.
The Eucharist also serves as a source of strength and renewal in my ministry. Just as the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ, the Eucharist has the power to transform and renew our spirits. It is through this sacrament that I find the strength to persevere in the face of challenges and the inspiration to continue fighting for justice and equality. The Eucharist reminds me that I am not alone in this journey but that God's grace and love are always present, guiding and sustaining me. This knowledge empowers me to be a source of hope and encouragement to immigrants, offering them not only practical assistance but also the assurance that they are not forgotten or abandoned. The Eucharist instills in me a deep sense of purpose, reminding me that my ministry is not only about helping others but also about being a vessel of God's love and mercy.
All Meet and Gather in the Eucharist
One of the most powerful ways the Eucharist shapes my ministry with immigrants is by reminding me that as Catholics, wherever we find ourselves in the world, we find each other in the Eucharist. In all the churches and in all the tabernacles of the world is Jesus Christ alive and truly present in the Eucharist.
What is it our migrant populations experience but Christ as a refugee, Christ as a fugitive, Christ separated from His family. In the Eucharist, there is your mother, there is your family, there are no miles between you and they. We all gather and meet in the Eucharist.
Trust is essential in any ministry, but it becomes even more crucial when working with immigrants who may have experienced trauma, discrimination, or exploitation. The Eucharist, with its message of love and acceptance, provides a solid foundation on which trust can be built.
In the act of sharing the body and blood of Christ, we create a sacred bond that transcends cultural, linguistic, and social barriers. We may originate from different countries, but we share the one identity in Christ and as sons and daughters of God. The body and blood you partake in today, is the same body and blood your family is partaking of in Mexico, in Honduras….in another state.
Another powerful way the Eucharist fosters connections is through the practice of hospitality. Just as Jesus welcomed all to his table, I strive to create an atmosphere of hospitality and warmth in my ministry with immigrants. This can be as simple as providing a warm meal, a safe place to stay, or a listening ear. By extending hospitality, we communicate to immigrants that they are valued and respected, and that their needs and well-being are a priority. This sense of belonging and care helps to strengthen the bonds of trust and encourages immigrants to actively participate in our community.
Overcoming Language and Cultural Barriers in Ministry with Immigrants
Language and cultural barriers are common challenges in ministry with immigrants, but the Eucharist serves as a powerful tool for overcoming these barriers. Our spirits groan within us in words only God understands. We speak the same language in front of Jesus in the Eucharist. We speak in the language of hopes, dreams, trauma, joys, grief.
Romans 8:26 says: In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
There is no Spanish, English or Nahuatl in the Eucharist. It is all one voice lifted up like fragrant incense.
In my ministry, I know we share a common faith. I also know we still need to work to be welcoming and consider the practical aspects of integrating as one body, one blood. This may involve providing translation services, offering bilingual or Spanish-language Mass, or utilizing visual aids and gestures to convey meaning. As God listens in the words we know to use, so too can we make the effort to bridge the language gap and create a space where immigrants can fully participate and engage in our community.
Providing Support and Assistance to Immigrants through the Eucharist
The Eucharist not only inspires me to create a safe and inclusive space for immigrants but also compels me to provide them with practical support and assistance. The Eucharist serves as a reminder of the commandment to love one another as Christ loved us, and this love is manifested through concrete actions.
One of the ways I provide support to immigrants is through advocacy and outreach. The Eucharist teaches me the importance of standing up for justice and equality, particularly for those who are marginalized and oppressed.
Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly. He keeps this promise through the Eucharist.
The mutual exposition between myself and Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is a powerful reminder of the vulnerability our migrants face.
Just as I am vulnerable before the Lord, as Psaml 139:3 says, "you are acquainted with all my ways." So too does the Lord make himself vulnerable to our abuse and indifference.
Vulnerable in the species of bread and wine, he is open to our abuse, our indifference, our mishandling, or irreverence.
The Eucharist also inspires me to provide emotional and spiritual support to immigrants. Leaving one's home country and starting anew in a foreign land can be a daunting and isolating experience. Through pastoral care and counseling, I offer a listening ear, comfort, and guidance to immigrants as they navigate the emotional and spiritual challenges they encounter. The Eucharist reminds me of the importance of attending to the whole person - body, mind, and spirit - and encourages me to create opportunities for immigrants to find solace, healing, and spiritual nourishment.
Food for the Journey
For many of our immigrant brothers and sisters, it was the promises of the Eucharist that accompanied them on their path. If we can imagine the migrant’s journey as an allegory of our spiritual journey, then this Jesus we seek is the food for the journey.
So in conclusion, we can imitate the living Jesus in the Eucharist:
Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist: be present to our migrant brothers and sisters.
Jesus is food in the Eucharist: doing practical works of mercy for our migrant brothers and sisters.
Jesus is vulnerable in the Eucharist: be aware and attentive to the vulnerability of our migrant brothers and sisters.
Jesus listens to our needs in the Eucharist: see, judge, act according to what our migrant brothers and sisters truly need.
Jesus unites us in the Eucharist: we are never alone in the communion of saints, remember we are all gathered in the Eucharist.
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