2023
ADVENT GUIDE
“I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul.”
In the third week of Advent, Christian communities focus on the theme of joy, as we grow closer to the joyful celebration of the birth of Christ. Aldair Campos, paralegal at CLINIC, reflects on how his work and his clients bring joy.
Reflect
Advent, a season of profound significance in the Catholic tradition, embodies the principles of hope, peace, love, and joy. Among these, joy stands as a powerful emotion, an enduring anticipation of the birth of Christ. This joy connects deeply with the work that CLINIC does daily, by aiding the facilitation of religious workers’ arrivals to the United States.
Although this work is challenging and demanding, it is incredibly rewarding. We are always ecstatic when we receive visa approval notices for our clients, who include priests, brothers, nuns, sisters, and other religious workers. We not only celebrate our wins on behalf of our clients, but we also celebrate our clients themselves. The essence of joy is truly embodied by our clients, who courageously leave their nations of origin to become beacons of hope and faith in our communities here, a long way away from their homes.
Religious workers embarking on the journey to the United States are responding to a divine calling. The Church’s support in this migration process embodies the joy of enabling individuals to fulfill their spiritual vocations and share their gifts with those in need.
The arrival of religious workers enriches communities of faith in the United States. Their diverse backgrounds and traditions create a vibrant tapestry of faith experiences, fostering joy and strengthening a collective bond through worship.
Religious workers play a pivotal role in nurturing the spiritual growth and well-being of their parishioners. CLINIC’s assistance in their migration actively contributes to the flourishing of faith, generating profound joy and fulfillment to worshippers around the country.
Supporting the migration of religious workers underscores the Church’s commitment to upholding religious freedom, a cornerstone of human rights. This advocacy reflects the joy of ensuring that individuals can practice their faith freely and contribute to the rich Catholic tradition in the United States.
In the convergence of Advent joy and the mission to guide religious workers to the United States, religious workers embody the true spirit of the season. Our clients serve as beacons of hope, peace, and love, demonstrating that joy is found in acts of compassion, support, and the pursuit of one’s divine calling.
Take Action
- Read CLINIC’s “Religious Workers Are Essential Toolkit” to learn more about how you can advocate on behalf of foreign-born religious workers who may be stuck in visa backlogs which threaten their vital work in the United States.
- Recite this prayer for vocations:
God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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