St. Thomas University – October 5, 2025

On Sunday evening, the St. Thomas University community gathered to celebrate the Vatican’s 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, under the theme “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope.”

The event was organized by The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy in collaboration with the Campus Ministry. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 27.6 million people are trapped in forced labor worldwide, including 6.3 million in forced commercial sexual exploitation. The ILO also reports that illicit profits generated from forced labor in the private economy reach about 236 billion U.S. dollars annually. These realities are closely connected with migration. Migrants leave their homes fleeing wars, civil unrest, persecution — they seek safety or opportunity for their families. People on the move are vulnerable. Along their journeys to the dream destination, they are faced with exploitation and many times with human trafficking. Economic hardships, irregular migration status, and lack of legal protection expose them to abuse at every stage of the migration process, from recruitment and transit to employment in destination countries. But there is hope when people of good will are truly invested in addressing the intersection of migration and human trafficking from a human security perspective in countries of origin, transit and destination.

The evening of prayer and reflection began with Mass celebrated by Father Dr. Hilary Nwainya, Associate Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry, followed by a reception of breaking bread in heartfelt fellowship, unity, connection.

Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s message, the celebration reflected on how migrants embody courage and hope in the face of adversity. The Holy Father reminded us that migrants are not merely recipients of charity, but bearers of faith and resilience who renew communities through their perseverance and trust in God.

In his homily, Father Hilary invited everyone to move beyond abstraction and stereotypes. He reminded the faithful that every migrant or refugee is not a faceless number but a person with a name, a history, a family, and dreams. He reflected, “When we see someone as only another migrant or refugee, we risk losing their humanity. When we call them by name, get to know them, remember their family, mother or father, spouse, child or sibling, we see that they matter fully.” Father Hilary emphasized that the act of naming is a deep human and spiritual gesture. To name someone is to affirm that they exist, that they matter, and that their life is not disposable. In doing so, we form connections and cultivate empathy. “We are not so different from each other. We are all migrants” he said, calling for a renewed commitment to seeing every person in their wholeness and dignity.

After the Eucharistic celebration, participants gathered to reflect, to foster genuine encounters and conversation. Migrants, students, clergy, faculty, staff, and parishioners came together to share food and build community. The act of sharing a meal became a living expression of the evening’s message, where hospitality served as a sacred sign of unity, hope, and belonging.

The night concluded in a spirit of gratitude and communion. Through prayer, reflection, and shared presence, the community affirmed once more that to welcome and accompany migrants is to embrace hope itself, a hope that builds bridges, nurtures understanding, and reminds us of our shared humanity.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Roza Pati, Founder and Director of the John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy said: “Father Hilary reminded us that cowardice is a sin, a failure of love and courage to do what is right.  Today as in Galatians 6:2, we are urged to ‘bear … one another’s burdens,’ and as in Genesis 4:9, we should fully absorb the responsibility of being our brother’s keepers, and brotherhood includes migrants and refugees. As Pope Leo reiterated, migrants’ presence is ‘a true divine blessing,’ and he reminded us: ‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it (Heb 13:2).’ This should indeed be our calling.”