In his recent address for World Mission Day, Pope Francis reminded us, “The wedding feast of his Son that God has prepared remains always open to all, since his love for each of us is immense and unconditional.”
“Let us go now to the banquet, to the feast of the universe,
The table’s set and a place is waiting, come everyone with your gifts to share.”
Dear friends,
Perhaps you are familiar with those lyrics from “Vamos Todos al Banquete,” a beloved folk song in El Salvador.
The song is sung joyfully as part of the Salvadoran folk Mass, and was echoed by Pope Francis in his recent address for World Mission Day.
As he reflected on the parable of the wedding banquet, Pope Francis reminded us we are all invited to share in God’s love:
“The wedding feast of his Son that God has prepared remains always open to all, since his love for each of us is immense and unconditional.”
Our missioner Bob Cunningham in El Salvador works with children and with youth in prison, supporting their education and empowerment and helping them to know about God’s immense and unconditional love for them.
As you may know, there was a terrible gang problem in the country, and in response the government ordered a widespread crackdown. The Salvadorans I have spoken to are very grateful for the greater safety they now enjoy, but many also wonder about the cost — especially with reports of innocents also swept up indiscriminately with no recourse.
How many families will be grieving this year because a son or grandson is in prison?
At Maryknoll Lay Missioners, we believe no one is excluded from God’s love. Not the poor, not the hungry, not the incarcerated.
That is why each visit to the prison that Bob makes is, first and foremost, an invitation to receive a message of love.
Maryknoll lay missioner Bob Cunningham with members of the prison ministry team from Our Lady of Peace in Merliot, El Salvador. Learn more about Bob’s prison ministry.
“We visit the juvenile prison weekly,” Bob writes. “The boys range from 12 to 18 years of age. I understand that most have been or still are affiliated with the country’s notorious gangs. Almost none have been baptized, but they come to Mass, some of them perhaps more for the bread and pastries that we hand out afterwards than the spiritual food, but in any case, they come.
“On a recent visit to the prison, I gave a reflection on a scripture reading from the First Letter of John. My reflection was about how Jesus showed us who God is. I told the boys, if you have experienced love — through a mother, a grandmother, or a friend — then you have experienced God.”
Our missioners listen, respond, and stand in solidarity with people who are trying to survive, while sharing the hope of the Good News of God’s vision to a suffering world.
We can all agree that no one should live in violence and fear. Not in El Salvador, not in Haiti, not anywhere. Yet too often, those who live on the margins are forced to face choices no one should have to make — like safety or freedom — instead of being assured of the good that is their right.
But God does not want us to make such choices. Our loving God acts with nonviolence, mercy, justice, and compassion to all, and we are called to act in the same way!
As we celebrate World Mission Month, I invite you to support Maryknoll Lay Missioners and our work of bringing positive change and fostering peace and justice. Together, we can help build a better world for all, rooted in the values of compassion and solidarity.
Thank you for sharing what you have, and for remembering all God’s children. I am truly grateful for your partnership!
In hope and shared purpose,
Elvira Ramirez
Executive Director
P.S. Please make your gift for World Mission Month now by clicking on the button below.
And if we may pray for you and for those you love, please add your prayer intentions here as well. Thank you!
Elvira Ramirez is Maryknoll Lay Missioners’ executive director.
