“Our bodies are the texts that carry the memories and therefore remembering is no less than reincarnation.”
Every spiritual tradition holds “welcoming the alien and the stranger” as the core of its integrity. As we open our hearts to the newness of Spring, we are invited to make room in our hearts for the story of a child. In this book circle, we shared the journey of a young Salvadoran boy in his migration to the United States. The poet Javier Zamora creates a beautifully wrought portrait of his experience as a child fleeing the violence and poverty of El Salvador through the Sonora desert, toward the promise of a new life. He tells a riveting tale of the power of human connection as he captures the voice, consciousness, and emotions of his nine-year-old self. In the process, he uncovers unsurpassed perseverance, and the length human beings will go to help each other in times of struggle. Over three weeks, we explored his memoir together, holding the simplicity of a story woven in the complex issue of immigration. We listened to the prophetic call offered in our time by a child.
For the third session on April 25, we welcomed presenter Joanne Castner for a special presentation. In early May 2022, Joanne visited El Paso, TX and Juarez, MX with a group sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and the St. Columban Mission for Justice, Peace and Ecology. This immersion trip allowed her to see firsthand what is happening with immigration at the US-Mexico border and how individuals and community advocacy groups are supporting those in need.
Joanne shared about her trip through stories, photos and video clips. We considered the root causes of the immigration crisis, and why people flee their homelands even at great risk to themselves. In addition, we explored how the increasing polarization in our country about immigration has impacted the situation at the border since Joanne’s trip.
“Solito: A Memoir” by Javier Zamora:
- Winner of the Los Angeles Times Christopher Isherwood Prize for Autobiography
- Winner of the American Library Association Alex Award
- Finalist for the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction
