Saturday, April 16 the community of the Loyola Sanctuary welcomed a delightful group of our companions of the Etxea Jesuit Association in Durango: Jesuits Koldo Katxo, Juan José López, and Michael Pastor, volunteers Josemari Salgado and his wife Rosamari Ibarra, together with Étienne and Maturine of Senegal, and Sylvestre of Cameroon.

The 12 of us came together to listen to the witness of the Jesuits and volunteers who work in this project of welcoming, forming, and integrating immigrants, some of whom live in the Jesuit community of Durango. The words of Étienne, Maturine and Sylvestre impacted us greatly as they related to us the thousand adventures that occurred on their way here, but also the gratitude and the affection that they showed the people that helped them throughout this process.

After some dialogue, we shared dinner, which finished with the rhythm of the African drums and songs.