London: Three years of monthly Vigils for Migrants

Image: Pat Gaffney

This month's Migrants Vigil at the government's Home Office in London marked three years of monthly prayers there for people who have died trying to reach the UK and for the UK to be a more welcoming nation. An organiser, Barbara Kentish, said. "If only we could say things were better, but alas, we need to pray harder than ever." The one-hour vigils are co-sponsored by Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, London Catholic Worker and London Churches Refugee Fund.

Brother Johannes Maertens of the London Catholic Worker gave a reflection on his visits to Calais and the work of an arts refugee project that uses maps and art to encourage refugees to tell their stories. He commented that some of the young men he met had been on the road for six years.

The names of people who died a year ago - in October 2023 - trying to enter Europe or the UK were read out and a prayer of repentance said afterwards: "You told us to welcome strangers in our land, but we have hated, humiliated, imprisoned, and killed those who have asked for our hospitality. Forgive us and help us to change."

Around 30 people attended the latest vigil on Monday 21 October. James Trewby (Columban Justice, Justice, Peace and Ecology coordinator) and Abi Yendole (Columban Faith in Action Volunteer) accompanied the Justice and Peace Committee of 16 Year 10 students and one teacher from St George's School in Maida Vale to the vigil.

One student said afterwards: "Hearing all the names and stories of those who have died meant I was able to personify every victim; give every victim a face; it was powerful." Pope Francis has said something similar, captured on the refugee memorial in Dover, that, "every migrant has a name, a face and a story." Another student said: "As a member of the justice and peace group, going to the Home office to pray for refugees has been a profound and humbling experience. Standing in solidarity praying for those seeking safety and refuge, I felt the weight of their struggles and the urgency of advocating for justice. In the quiet moment of prayer, we offered up hope for a system that could see beyond the borders to the humanity of those in need. It was both a spiritual act of compassion and a call for action, reminding me of the power of community and faith in pursuing change."

Also present on Monday were representatives from churches around London, Jesuit Refugee Service, London Catholic Worker, Pax Christi England and Wales and Seeking Sanctuary.

Intercessions included the prayer: "We pray for the end of the hostile environment, and the creation of safe, legal routes to claim asylum in this country."

Watch: Refugee Action Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcaM89VzkEY