32nd Prayer Rally 2025

The Arrupe Migrant Center (AMC) of the Society of Jesus celebrated the 32nd Prayer Rally with joy and hope on a beautiful Sunday morning, October 26, 2025, at St. Joseph Parish in Achrafieh, Beirut. October, a month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, calls us to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary through heartfelt prayer. This uplifting event included a Living Rosary, a reverent Eucharistic Celebration, and a communal lunch, where diverse migrant communities came together to share their stories and journeys. This year, we embrace a theme that resonates with the spirit of the Jubilee Year: Migrants are missionaries of hope. Their journeys remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of compassion in our interconnected world.

A vibrant assembly of migrant groups, including Africans, Bangladeshi, Indians, Filipinos, and Sri Lankans, infused the atmosphere with a profound sense of community and joy. The event began with a Living Rosary, where participants offered candles and flowers at Our Lady’s statue in the lobby of the Jesuit Residence and formed a human tableau depicting each mystery of the Holy Rosary. This was followed by a meaningful Eucharistic Celebration, led by the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Church, Fr. Dan Corrou, SJ, who was joined by fellow priests as concelebrants. During the mass, lectors were commissioned by Fr. Dan after his homily.

After the Mass, a communal lunch was held, fostering a profound sense of fellowship as attendees gathered to share an abundance of delicious food and invigorating drinks. The afternoon program highlighted the diverse talents of participating groups, showcasing heartfelt song and dance performances and vibrant cultural displays. The air resonated with laughter and cheers as people reveled in the performances and the shared meal, creating a day that truly celebrated communal prayer and the beauty of unity in diversity among the migrant communities.

This celebration traces its roots back to 1993, when the Children of Mary, initially formed by Sr. Mary Kolbe, a nun from the Missionaries of Charity, was officially recognized as a Marian group. The purpose of the group was to provide spiritual nourishment to migrants. With the help of their spiritual advisors, Fr. Martin McDermott, SJ, and +Fr. Theo Vlugt, SJ, the group held its first prayer rally at Notre Dame de Jamhour, with the support of various religious groups.

Fr. Henry Ponce, S.J.