“El Día de Los Muertos, November 2, is a day of celebration, especially in the Hispanic culture, during which all the dead are remembered.  Since former President Bill Clinton first ordered a fence to be constructed on the U.S./Mexican border, a Border Mass has become an annual event on this date to remember all those who have died trying to cross the border.  The Mass takes place in Sunland Park, New Mexico  at a point where the fence is accessible from both countries.  The bishops of El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico meet at the border fence to concelebrate the Mass.  A small table on the U.S. side meets a small table on the Mexican side with the fence separating them and that becomes the altar.  On November 2 this year I was privileged to be present during the Border Mass.  Approximately 500 people gathered on the U.S. side of the fence while 300 gathered on the Mexican side.  We greeted each other, prayed together, sang together.  And at the “kiss of peace” we placed our hands together with the wire fence separating us.  As we remembered the dead during the celebration, we also remembered the living.  Our bishops deplored the fence that separates people and called on the U.S. government to build bridges instead of fences.

Sister Janet Cashman, SCL
Immigration Specialist
Catholic Charities
Gallup, NM

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