Last Saturday afternoon in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, the cradle of liberty, Pope Francis spoke of America’s roots and religious freedom and its immigrants, the “huddled masses yearning to breath free,” in the words etched on the Statue of Liberty.
“When a country is determined to remain true to its founding principles, based on respect for human dignity, it is strengthened and renewed,” the Holy Father told to those gathered on the lawn in front of him, during the first of his two-day visit to the city.
“When a country holds on to the memory of its roots, it continues to grow, it renews itself and continues receiving within itself new peoples and new persons.”
These “news peoples and news persons,” he explained, were the mass of immigrants who have made their way to the United States, “at great personal cost…in the hope of building a new life.”
Providing words of inspiration to the immigrants, he urged them to not forget that “like those who came here before you, you bring many gifts to your new nation.”
“Never be ashamed of your traditions. Do not forget the lessons you learned from your elders, which are something you can bring to enrich the life of this American land…You are called to…contribute fruitfully to the life of the communities in which you live.”
He praised the immigrants’ “vibrant faith” and “deep sense of family life and all those other values which you have inherited.”
Among the masses, touched by Pope Francis’ words to them, were the 300 Hispanics from the Diocese of Camden, who made the trek to Philadelphia via bus, car, and train.
“Hispanics in South Jersey felt encouraged by Pope Francis, to bring their gifts to the church and society,” said Andres Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Camden.
Earlier in the week, during the World Meeting of Families’ Congress at Philadelphia’s Convention Center, Andres and his wife, Kathia, put their gifts to good use, as speakers during a Spanish workshop session on “Building Familial Love Through Everyday Practices.”
During Sunday’s Papal Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Kathia proclaimed the first reading in Spanish, on the altar with Pope Francis.
Damaris Thillet, Associate Director of Worship and Christian Initiation, and Music/Liturgy Director at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, directed the 50-person Hispanic Archdiocesan Choir for the Papal Mass. During the multi-lingual liturgy, she sang a verse of the Responsorial Psalm in Spanish. Her husband, choir member Diego Correa, participated on the altar during the Prayer of the Faithful.
“I feel very humbled, honored, and blessed to have the opportunity to be close to the Holy Father, and share my talent” at Independence Hall and on the Parkway, Thillet said.
His words to immigrants “were powerful, in a simple and humble way.”
“To see the choir members’ excitement during the Mass, and doing what God called us to do, it was a beautiful experience. God is good,” she added.
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