Conventual Franciscan Friars from Our Lady of Consolation Province were on both sides of the border for Pope Francis’ historic visit to Juarez.

Friars Mario Serrano and Andy Martinez, both serving as campus ministers, were there with many students from Our Lady of the Lake University and UTEP. They share their joy of being there in this brief video:

Friar Charles McCarthy was also at the border for this historic event. He used Instagram to capture some of the preparations for the Pope’s visit. The Pope stopped for a moment of silent prayer and blessing at the border to recall the plight of migrants.

The ramp at the border in the Chamizal in Juarez that the p. Francisco will walk to challenge our consciousness about migrations of peoples.

Friar Tom Smith was in Juarez with about 15 other priests from the Diocese of Las Cruces. He reported that he was seated very close to the front and was with the sick and infirm.

Friar Miguel Briseno was at the Sun Bowl Stadium along with thousands of others. Pope Francis: “Thank you, brothers and sisters at El Paso, for making us feel like one family, and one and the same Christian community.”

Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the fairground of Ciudad Juarez. He used the story of Jonah and Nineveh to help us understand the necessity of mercy. “The king listened to Jonah, the inhabitants of the city responded and penance was decreed. God’s mercy has entered the heart, revealing and showing wherein our certainty and hope lie: there is always the possibility of change, we still have time to transform what is destroying us as a people, what is demeaning our humanity. Mercy encourages us to look to the present, and to trust what is healthy and good beating in every heart. God’s mercy is our shield and our strength.”

Please join us in praying for conversion, salvation, and mercy. Lord, have pity on us, cleanse us from our sins and create in us a pure heart, a new spirit.