Church of Immigrants - Recognizing Christ in the Other

Religion and Immigration

In his book, “Religion and Immigration,” sociologist Peter Kivisto pointed out that religion was once a neglected topic in migration studies. But for many immigrants, religion is really a vital aspect of the resettlement experience.  Timothy Smith even proposed that immigration is a “theologizing experience.” Religion is a spiritual resource that helps immigrants assimilate into the new culture.  And as we start to re-shape our identities as new immigrants, religion will always serve as an important foundation for that process.

Alejandro Portes and Ruben G. Rumbaut, authors of the book “Immigrant America: A Portrait”, said that religious practices serve as a source of social capital that helps determine the immigrant’s path of assimilation.  In my experience as a Filipino immigrant myself, I know many new Filipino immigrants whose first quest is to find a religious community. Author and researcher, Charles Hirschman, put it this way: “The centrality of religion to immigrant communities can be summarized as the search for refuge, respectability, and resources.” This is especially true for many Filipino immigrants, a people deeply and historically entrenched in the Catholic faith.

I got a chance to reflect back on my immigrant experience for a recent article I wrote, and I came to realize how blessed I was because I, not only had my faith to turn to in those times of adjustment, but I also had a community of very welcoming Catholics who made me feel at home in the Church.  Not everyone showed that sentiment but those who lived out the message of Christ welcomed me, greeted me “peace be with you”, and shook my hand. They made sure that I was treated not as an outsider but as a brother in Christ finding a warm, loving home in the Church. They are the ones who reminded me of the Gospel’s message: “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” (Mark 9:37).

A Church of Immigrants

Dorothy Day, a devoted servant of God and a social activist in the early 1900s, saw the Catholic Church as a “church of immigrants.”  The Church historically has served immigrants seeking not only refuge and physical safety but also psychological comfort, especially when the world outside the Church walls is not always welcoming.  Getting uprooted and separated from friends and family are already difficult enough and even traumatizing.  Resettling, reshaping a new American identity, and finding a community that welcomes you are even more difficult.  Participating in Church activities, particularly with the familiarity of the Mass and other Catholic traditions, is tremendously helpful in filling the psychological voids created by immigration.  Religious participation creates for immigrants a healthy sense of belonging and community.  Look across America and you will see that many of the churches and temples were built and established by immigrant communities.

Immigrants from other ethnic and national backgrounds will also have their own cultural traditions and expressions of their Catholic faith. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes that immigrants contribute to religious diversity and that religion is a fundamental part of life throughout the world. It’s not easy these days but I hope that what we’ll see is God’s presence to all peoples. I hope that we all take the time to learn more about them and their experiences. I hope that we welcome them and embrace them and cherish the fact that there is unity in the richness of our diversity. And I hope immigrants do the same—that we take the time to get to know those who are already here. Recognize and respect their contributions to making this society great and for paving the way for us and future generations. We may have many differences and those are easy to see nowadays. Seeing our commonalities take work and discernment. Let us remember what Mother Teresa, an immigrant in Calcutta, used to remind us of: we are all born in the image and likeness of God. She saw others, even non-Christians, as Christ. Let us pray that we have that same grace and recognize Christ in everyone we meet.

To read more about my reflection on faith, culture, and my immigrant experience as a psychologist, check out http://mindspirit.com/faith-culture-immigrant-experience/