A group of nine U.S. bishops will lead a nine-day prayer service for migrants and refugees in an online series from March 14-22, overlapping the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph, traditionally observed by Irish, Italian, and Polish immigrants to the United States. Scripture tells how Joseph led the refugee Holy Family to Egypt, and tradition holds that St. Patrick was trafficked as a slave to Ireland. These stories help us think about the situation of migrants and immigrants today, according to Stephen Millies, executive director of the Catholic Theological Union’s Bernardin Center, which is organizing the novena. Each 15-minute prayer service will begin at noon Central Time over Zoom with worship aids available in English and Spanish; information about Catholic ministries serving migrants and immigrants will be included. These services will not be partisan; rather, the point is effective solidarity through prayer, reminding people about the dignity of migrants and immigrants, and the Christian duty to welcome the stranger, according to Mr. Millies. Several of the participating bishops have addressed concerns over the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, while acknowledging the country’s right to defend its borders. Those interested in attending the online novena can get information by visiting https://ctu.edu/novena/.