Hundreds Attended Annual Immigrant Mass in Los Angeles
The service honored the immigrant community at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on September 20, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Catholicism
Live Poll
Should faith communities take an active role in advocating for immigrant rights in your area?
Hundreds of congregants from across Southern California gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on September 20, 2026, for the annual Mass in Recognition of All Immigrants. The service emphasized the Catholic Church's identity as a community of immigrants.
Why it matters
This Mass provided a space for families to seek spiritual support amidst ongoing uncertainty and pain regarding immigration enforcement. It highlights the Church's commitment to advocacy for undocumented individuals within the region.
The event featured the display of relics of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Attendees included representatives from the Archdioceses of Los Angeles and the Dioceses of Orange, San Diego, and San Bernardino.
The players
José H. Gomez
He is the Archbishop of Los Angeles who presided over the Mass and advocated for compassion toward immigrants.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
She is the patron saint of immigrants whose relics were displayed on the altar during the service.
The details
Attendees participated in the Ribbons of Prayer exhibit, where they wrote the names of individuals affected by immigration enforcement on ribbons and attached them to a display. Prayers were then offered during the Mass for each person listed on the ribbons.
Timeline
Summer 2025: ICE raids occurred in immigrant communities.
September 20, 2026: The annual Mass in Recognition of All Immigrants took place.
Culture Shift
This Mass aligns with the Catholic Church's historical role as an immigrant-supporting institution. It serves as a modern extension of the faith's long-standing tradition of providing sanctuary and spiritual advocacy for migrant populations.
For local residents, the Mass offered a tangible way to participate in public prayer and communal mourning regarding immigration enforcement. Participants utilized the event to express solidarity through the act of writing names on ribbons for collective recognition.
The takeaway
The event underscores how religious services serve as focal points for social support during times of widespread uncertainty. Engaging in such communal activities provides participants a structured method to process personal and local concerns.
Further reading
Learn more about the role of faith in community life within the Los Angeles Catholicism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Angelus News.
Live Poll
Should faith communities take an active role in advocating for immigrant rights in your area?
