“You are not alone”: Friars pray for immigrants outside courthouses, detention centers
Author: Teresa Peterson
Date Published: April 06, 2026
Br. John Heffernan, OFM, has seen the anguish in the faces of men, women and children who have fled their homeland. Today, many live in quiet desperation afraid of being arrested, separated from their families or deported.
They have escaped violence or extreme poverty and settled in a nation that once welcomed them. Br. John tries to uplift them in their moment of need.
On many Thursdays, you will find him praying outside a courthouse near his parish, St. Camillus in Silver Spring, Maryland. This is where immigrants plead their case to stay in the place they call home.
Br. John Heffernan, OFM, joins parishioners to pray outside of a courthouse in Hyattsville, Md., where immigrant cases are heard. (Photo courtesy of St. Camillus Parish)
‘We are there to pray and show support. We trust the people are encouraged because they see us,” said Br. John.
About a dozen members of his parish, other religious and residents join him.
“The prayer service is beautiful. We pray for the safety and well-being of the people and their families. We pray for wisdom and insight for lawmakers and political leaders,” said Br. John.
Showing solidarity through public prayer is just one of many ways that friars are supporting the immigrants and migrants in their communities. The Franciscan tradition was founded in the spirit of itinerancy, and the friars naturally hold people “on the move,” like migrants, close to their hearts. Answering the Gospel call to “welcome the stranger,” the friars have accompanied immigrants in the United States for more than 100 years.
"Acts of public prayer are a witness to the Gospel that affirms the dignity of all people. They remind us that God stands especially with those who society discards and demonstrate that we too love and stand with our sisters and brothers who seem cast aside," said Russ Testa, director, Office for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
"You are not alone”
In the Midwest, Br. Jim Lause, OFM, was among several friars who recently prayed outside an ICE detention facility in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. The event, on March 7, organized by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, was called “You Are Not Alone.” Those who attended stood in solidarity with the incarcerated, showing that regardless of their circumstances, someone cares.
Several friars from St. Anthony of Padua Parish in St. Louis, Mo., attended a prayer vigil March 7, outside of an ICE detention center. The friars who participated are (from left to right) Brothers Bob Sieg, OFM, Jim Lause, OFM, David Buer, OFM, Bob Ruzicka, OFM, Joe Manning OFM, and (not pictured) Tom Carroll, OFM. (Photo courtesy of Br. David)
Approximately 500 people from various religious, diocesan and interdenominational groups participated. Stories were shared about detainees to show our common humanity.
Friars and parishioners carpooled and even chartered a bus. A parish Facebook post about the event stated:
“As Catholics, we do not look away from suffering, and we do not remain silent when human dignity is at stake. As Franciscans, we know this is what it looks like to pray with your feet. The witness of your presence matters.”
For Br. Jim, this type of public witness is a way to follow the Gospel in contemporary times.
'It’s part of the Franciscan charism to welcome and value each individual, and value creation. Each person is a valued member of the world and we're here to welcome them, respect them, help them live in the freedom and happiness that everyone's entitled to,” said Br. Jim.
It’s the core of the Gospel, too.
“We heard the great commandment, love God and love one another, so that's what we try to do,” said Br. Jim, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in St. Louis.
In addition to supporting immigrants through public prayer, his parish operates a food pantry that feeds nearly 50,000 people a year. Everyone is welcome to receive food – no questions asked.
“We just try to help them, so they're very grateful for any help we can give them,” said Br. Jim.
The parish also has an Immigrant and Refugee Ministry with a full-time staff member. His salary is covered by seven sponsoring parishes. On March 10, the ministry hosted a Holy Hour for Peace at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, called for by the U.S. bishops in response to violent and harsh immigration enforcement.
Br. Jeff Scheeler, OFM, (in the front, left) prays for respect of human dignity outside of an ICE regional office with the Interfaith Association of Southfield. Participants included a rabbi and an Episcopal priest. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jeff)
“Praying for greater human dignity”
On March 11, Br. Jeff Scheeler, OFM, joined representatives from the Interfaith Association of Southfield, Michigan, to pray outside an ICE regional office. Alongside a rabbi, an evangelical minister, an Episcopal priest and others, they held signs promoting human dignity. So far, he has participated twice with this diverse group of faith leaders.
“We pray individually, but in the end, we have a common prayer together. We pray for everybody, including ICE officers, people in detention and immigrants. We’re praying for greater human dignity and respect at every level,” said Br. Jeff, pastor at Church of the Transfiguration in Southfield.
Br. Jeff plans to show his support at the prayer event whenever his schedule permits.
“We're doing what we can,” said Br. Jeff.