Cardinal Cupich Assures Immigrants of Their Dignity at Ash Wednesday Mass in Chicago
Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, offered words of reassurance and solidarity to immigrant families during an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass and procession held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park. The celebration was organized as a public sign of unity with immigrant communities and a reminder of their enduring dignity within the Church.
Presiding over the liturgy, Cardinal Cupich reflected on the Gospel message that calls believers to prayer, fasting and almsgiving carried out in humility and sincerity. He emphasized that God sees what is done in secret and accompanies those who suffer or labor quietly. Addressing immigrants directly, he acknowledged the hidden struggles many endure, including long hours of work, sacrifices made for children and the emotional burden of separation from loved ones.
The Cardinal reminded the faithful that Ash Wednesday begins with the words you are dust and to dust you shall return. Rather than interpreting this as a sign of worthlessness, he explained that dust recalls the biblical account of creation, when God formed humanity from the earth and breathed life into it. Being dust, he said, means being shaped and cherished by the Creator.
In a message that resonated strongly with immigrant families, Cardinal Cupich stated that human worth does not depend on documentation or legal status. Even those who may lack official recognition in the eyes of civil authorities are fully known and valued by God. Their identity, he said, is rooted not in a visa or permit but in the divine breath that sustains every human life.
The imposition of ashes, marked in the sign of the cross, was presented as a powerful symbol of belonging. The Cardinal described the cross on the forehead as a seal that signifies union with Jesus Christ and membership in a homeland that transcends political borders. This spiritual citizenship, he explained, remains constant regardless of shifting laws or public debates.
Throughout his homily, Cardinal Cupich stressed that immigrants are children of God whose dignity cannot be erased. He encouraged them not to internalize narratives that portray them as disposable or invisible. Instead, he urged them to raise their heads in confidence, remembering that Christ stands with them in moments of uncertainty and fear.
The outdoor procession and Mass also served as a visible affirmation of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s pastoral commitment to immigrant communities. By celebrating the liturgy in solidarity, the local Church sought to offer both spiritual comfort and a public witness to Catholic teaching on human dignity.
Cardinal Cupich concluded by linking the cross of Ash Wednesday to the promise of resurrection. The sign traced in ashes, he said, is not only a reminder of mortality but also of hope. Through Christ’s victory over injustice and death, believers are assured that every tear will be wiped away and that no exile is forgotten in God’s plan.
