Friars welcome Caravan of Empathy to Siena University

In early August, Franciscan friars from the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Siena University community welcomed the Caravan of Empathy to Loudonville, New York.

The caravan sought to raise awareness and appreciation for immigrants by highlighting their positive impact on the New York State’s economy. Its 1,000-mile trek began on Long Island on Aug. 2 and concluded in Buffalo six days later, traveling through more than 50 New York communities. It was organized by Rural & Migrant Ministry, a faith-led non-profit that provides support to immigrants working throughout New York State.

On Aug. 4, the caravan made a stop at Siena’s Grotto at the invitation of The Laudato Si' Center for Integral Ecology. The center is led by director Br. Michael Perry, OFM, and associate director Br. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM.

Nearly 40 friars and Siena community members gathered at the Grotto to greet the caravan. Br. Jacek shared the words of the late Pope Francis who, in the encyclical Laudato Si', underscored the link between migration and the climate crisis and urged humanity to act to restore dignity to the excluded.

"As we welcomed the Empathy Caravan at the Grotto, [Siena] Saints prayed for the more than 60,000 farmworkers in New York, many of whom are immigrants who help put food on our tables," said Br. Jacek. "We grieved over the fact that immigrant farmworkers live in fear of being torn apart from their families and uprooted from their communities."

The caravan hoped to broadcast a message to all corners of the state that New York communities are stronger when all residents are being cherished.  

A video interview featuring key leaders of the caravan can be found at Instagram.

Information and photos for this article were provided by Siena University.