“Even Just One of These Children”
On Sunday, 27 September 2026, the Catholic Church across the world will celebrate the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. In Africa and Madagascar, Jesuit communities, parishes, schools, social centres, universities, formation houses and partner organisations are being invited to join in marking this important day with prayer, reflection and concrete action.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees has a long and rich history. Its origins can be traced back to 1914, when Pope Pius X called on all Christians to pray for migrants. That simple invitation planted a seed that has grown into a longstanding tradition reflecting the Church's deep commitment to accompanying people on the move and to recognising the dignity and rights of migrants and refugees. Since 2019, the Church has observed the World Day on the last Sunday of September, a change announced by Pope Francis in January 2018. This date provides an annual opportunity for the whole Church to reflect, pray and act in solidarity with migrants, refugees and displaced people around the world.
For 2026, Pope Leo XIV, has chosen the theme "Even Just One of These Children" (cf. Mt 18:10). This theme draws our attention particularly to the vulnerability and dignity of children on the move. It reminds us that every person, especially every displaced child, is precious in God's eyes and deserves our attention, protection and care. The Holy Father's message invites us to move beyond seeing migration merely as a social or political issue, and instead to encounter migrants and refugees as brothers and sisters, children of God, and persons whose dignity must be protected.
For Jesuits and companions in mission, this celebration is also an opportunity to reflect and act on our Universal Apostolic Preferences. In particular, it calls us to renew our commitment to walking with the poor and excluded, to accompanying migrants and refugees, and to justice and care for our common home. Across Africa and Madagascar, Jesuits and partners in mission are already accompanying migrants, refugees and displaced people in many creative and courageous ways. The World Day provides an opportunity not only to celebrate locally, but also to connect, learn from one another, and amplify the many ways in which our Jesuit and Ignatian family is responding to the call to accompany those on the move.
Every Jesuit community, parish, school, social centre, university, formation community, apostolic work and partner organisation is encouraged to find an appropriate way of marking the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Celebration can take many forms: prayer and Eucharistic celebrations, awareness-raising and formation sessions, solidarity activities and concrete acts of solidarity, advocacy, accompaniment of migrants and refugees, youth activities and cultural events. What matters is that, in our different contexts, we find ways of making visible the Church's commitment to those who are displaced and vulnerable.
May the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2026 deepen our solidarity with migrants and refugees and renew our commitment to building communities where every person is welcomed, protected, accompanied and enabled to flourish.
With gratitude for your continued commitment and partnership in mission.
JCAM STATEMENT WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2026: ENGLISH | FRENCH | PORTUGUESE
READ MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV FOR THE 112th WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES.
