Last upated: 04/16/2020

Back in December when the Columban Center was planning our advocacy strategy for 2020, one thing we did not anticipate was a global pandemic. Coronavirus was not "part of the plan." But now this pandemic has reached many Columban communities around the world, including here in the United States.

In the face of this global emergency, the choice we all have is whether emergencies like this will bring out our worst or bring out our best.

For the next six weeks, our staff in Washington, DC is working from home in order to do our part to help slow down the spread of the virus. We are fortunate to have the ability to do this, but many people don’t have this option. Every day the coronavirus is illustrating that some people are hit harder than others by global emergencies like this one.

Columbans around the world dedicate their lives to working with impoverished and vulnerable communities that are hit hardest in times like these. As people of faith, we have a responsibility to practice solidarity, especially during turbulent times like this. Together is the only way we will get through this emergency.

On this webpage, you will find resources to nourish your spirituality as well as practical steps you can take to stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities. This webpage will be updated throughout the pandemic, so make sure to check back here regularly for more resources.

Prayer Resources

1. "The Upper Room:" The Missionary Society of St. Columban's General Council (or leadership team) has written this reflection on COVID-19 and Easter. 
2. Easter with an Amazonia Face: This Easter, the Inter-Religious Working Group on Extractive Industries invites you to encounter God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and in the beauty and suffering of the Amazon region and its people. This resource features weekly reflections on resurrection from participants of the 2019 Synod on the Amazon. Download the resource here. 
3. Columban Prayeres of Comfort During the Pandemic: an online booklet of six prayers written by Columbans in the United States.

Support Asylumn-Seekers

Before the coronavirus, the Trump administration implemented numerous policies and procedural hurdles, such as the “Remain in Mexico” program, that make it practically impossible for asylum-seekers to access the protection they desperately need. As a result, thousands of families are forced to wait for many months in dangerous and vulnerable situations.Now the President is trying to tighten those restrictions even further, using this moment of crisis to further his inhumane policies against asylum seekers. The President should never ignore the United States’ responsibility to provide protection for those seeking safety, especially now.  

Putting asylum seekers’ health and safety at risk puts everyone’s health and safety at risk. Find out how you can support the migrant families at the border below.

1. Donate: Columbans living in Mexico are working non-stop with many volunteers to coordinate safe shelters, livelihood projects, and medical care for migrants and their families. Columbans are also providing them with food, clothes, toiletries, and other necessities. Please consider making a donation here to help ensure this work can continue. All proceeds go directly to support migrants families. Thank you for your generosity.
2. Advocate: At a time when our federal resources are needed to support all people affected by this pandemic, Congress should invest in public health priorities and put an end to inhumane immigration policies that put migrants at risk of infection. Write to your Members of Congress today and tell them to end these policies.

COVID-19 & God's Creation

Fr. Sean McDonagh is the Missionary Society of St. Columban's researcher for "Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation" and has published numerous books on creation. He has written a reflection on what the COVID-19 pandemic is teaching us about our treatment of God's creation. Read his article here.