By Lya Martínez Montero, Provincial Secretary, Puerto Rico (Province of Central America)

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” Matthew 18:5

Dans le cadre de la 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, under the theme “Even One of These Little Ones,” Panama and Costa Rica held a binational gathering on September 17, 2026. It provided a space for communion, reflection, and pastoral coordination to strengthen support for people on the move.

À his message for this day, Pope Leo XIV “draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight… They are concrete faces, who have unique stories, and call on our conscience… Their dignity is trampled upon in countless ways… Every child, every human being, possesses an infinite dignity. Each is created in the image and likeness of God; each is a presence of the Lord. »

During the gathering, participants marched across Costa Rica’s southern border into Panama. Our sisters and partners-in-mission joined Church representatives from both countries, offering a sign of hope and pastoral closeness to the participating communities and organizations. The gathering also reaffirmed the commitment of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd and the Church to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

The participation of members of different religious congregations and lay associates enriched the gathering through their witness, experience, and pastoral commitment to accompanying migrants and refugees. Representing the Congregation were sisters Gilma María Muñoz Calderón, Lilliam Gould Camacho, and Reina Perla Molina. Lucía Russo Gómez and her husband, Edgardo Galarza Altamiranda, also attended as partners-in-mission of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd. Joining this experience of communion were sister María Eugenia Ramírez of the Religious of the Assumption and sisters from the Vincentian Family in Panama. Their shared presence expressed the commitment of the different congregations and partners to welcome, solidarity, and the defense of the dignity of people on the move.

The presence of the Clamor Network in Panama, clergy, and pastoral workers helped strengthen ties between dioceses and enabled them to share experiences of accompaniment, care, and service to people on the move. Church organizations, parishes, and communities committed to promoting coordinated action between Panama and Costa Rica also attended.

Particularly meaningful was the participation of Rahel Njambi Njenga, a Kenyan migrant who attended with her children. Her presence brought a deeply human dimension to the gathering, reminding participants that behind every migration experience are individual people, family stories, challenges, and hopes. Her participation invited everyone to recognize each person’s dignity and appreciate the importance of building welcoming communities rooted in fraternity.

The gathering highlighted the importance of continuing to create spaces for dialogue, reflection, and pastoral coordination that strengthen fraternity, solidarity, and the defense of human dignity.

Participants also reaffirmed their willingness to advance binational and intercongregational efforts that strengthen the Good Shepherd mission and the Church’s charisms in service to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Discover more about the mission in Central America ici.