Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

"In your house I am a passing guest, a pilgrim, like all my ancestors." Psalm 39:13

For Americans, pilgrim could as well be immigrant or migrant. People proud of their ancestry in America were descended from immigrants (unless they were Native Americans). But in the middle 19th century in the United States a political party was formed called the "American Party", popularly its members were known as "Know-Nothings". The members were descendants of earlier immigrants from places like England and Scotland.

They were appalled at the prospect of the country being flooded by Irish Catholic immigrants fleeing famine and destitution. Cartoons depicted a boatload of Irish Catholics arriving with a fully vested Pope about to tread on American soil. Businesses with employment opportunities posted signs in their windows: "No Irish need apply." Events went further. Riots on the East coast resulted in the Know-Nothings burning two Catholic churches, a Catholic school and a couple convents. At least 20 people were killed in riots.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her country were notable for a more welcoming stance towards migrants fleeing poverty and war. As she said at the time: "I am pleased that Germany has become a country with whom people outside Germany associate with hopes.... That is something very valuable when one looks back at our history." (A reference to the Nazi period.) Before we embrace racism and ‘white supremacy’ we might remember how our forebears came here (to the United States).

"In your house I am a passing guest, a pilgrim, like all my ancestors."

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

Watch Daily Mass online at: SaintJohnsAbbey.org/live

Send your prayer requests to the monks