MISSIONER NEWSLETTER – Fall 2024
Coralis Salvador, U.S.-Mexico Border
Despite the difficulties, when migrants reach Mexico, their attitude becomes gratitude since they can then apply to enter the United States through the free “CBP One” mobile application on their mobile phones. The CBP One app enables noncitizens without appropriate documents for admission who seek to travel to the United States through certain southwest border land ports of entry the ability to submit information through a module within the application instead of coming directly to wait at a port of entry.
May my love for friend, enemy, and outcast be without measure!
– Mari Lou Kownocki
JUAREZ, MEXICO—We, Maryknoll lay missioners, focus on nonviolence in the practice of daily living, especially through truth, compassion, kindness, and service. It isn’t easy, but we remain committed to persevere. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “We may never be strong enough to be entirely nonviolent in thought, work, and deed, but we must keep nonviolence as our goal and make strong progress towards it.”
In my ministry with the migrants at shelters on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border—in El Paso, Texas and Juárez, Mexico—the migrants I meet share their stories of experiencing suffering, pain, fear, and trauma—especially among the children—during their journeys to reach Mexico. In listening to their stories, my gut thought-reaction is violence toward the perpetrators of their ordeals.
Despite the difficulties, though, when migrants reach Mexico, their attitude becomes gratitude since they can then apply to enter the United States through the free “CBP One” mobile application on their mobile phones. The CBP One app enables noncitizens without appropriate documents for admission who seek to travel to the United States through certain southwest border land ports of entry the ability to submit information through a module within the application instead of coming directly to wait at a port of entry.
Missioner Coralis Salvador holds a baby born in Juárez, Mexico to a family applying for asylum.
For them, their hardships are worth it. It reminds me of a mother’s pain and suffering delivering her baby and then gratitude upon holding her new infant.
Mahatma Gandhi’s practice of nonviolence starts with nonviolence within ourselves and then to others and then to society. October 2nd is International Day of Nonviolence to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, and to commemorate this day, I quote what Jesus taught us about nonviolence in the Sermon on the Mount:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God. You have learned how it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ but I say to you, ‘Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way, you will be daughters and sons of your Creator in heaven.”
I also quote from Pax Christi USA, a national section of the international Catholic peace movement:
“I vow to carry out in my life the love and example of Jesus:
- by striving for peace within myself and seeking to be a peacemaker in my daily life;
- by refusing to retaliate in the face of provocation and violence;
- by persevering in nonviolence of tongue and heart;
- by living conscientiously and simply so that I do not deprive others of the means to live;
- by actively resisting evil and working nonviolently to abolish war and the causes of war from my own heart and from the face of the earth.
God, I trust in your sustaining love and believe that just as you gave me the grace and desire to offer this, so you will also bestow abundant grace to fulfill it. Amen.”
Do keep us all in your prayers to sustain these vows. I appreciate your support and donations to our ministries. May you be blessed evermore.
Much love,
Coralis
Please consider supporting my mission work at the U.S.-Mexico border with a donation through the link below.
I invite you to walk with me as a “COMPANION IN MISSION.” Companions in Mission are friends and generous donors who give financial gifts on a regular (usually monthly) basis. For more information, visit Become a Companion in Mission. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Coralis is a community volunteer at a shelter for asylum seekers released from ICE or CBP detentions and at “La Tilma” feeding program of Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, Texas. She previously served with Maryknoll Lay Missioners in Kenya for 19 years. She is the co-author of the Orbis book What’s So Blessed About Being Poor?
