By Bianca Dinkha
Andrew Mercado, director of ministry, brought the voices of undocumented Dominican students to the Vatican, as he hand-delivered their stories to Pope Leo XIV, transforming personal testimonies into a beacon of hope for immigrant communities.
Every 25 years, the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica open, marking the official start of the Jubilee year, celebrated in the Catholic Church. The year 2025 is themed “Pilgrims of hope,” declared by Pope Francis in 2024. This theme focuses on hope during a time of global conflict and polarization.
Mercado was invited by the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM), as one of the 100 Pilgrims from across the country who took part in the Jubilee celebration.
Attending the week-long event, “Jubilee of Migrants,” Mercado represented Catholic Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI). His mission was to “Bring the voices of our undocumented students in light of the cruelty that the community is experiencing in the United States.”
When the NCCHM group arrived in Rome, they were given the news that they were going to have a private audience with the Pope.
When it was his turn to bring forth the testimonials, he said to the Pope, “Holy Father, I come on behalf of our undocumented students at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Thank you for your advocacy for migrants. Please continue to pray for us, and here is a letter from Dominican University about our work with undocumented students, and also testimonies about their experiences and realities.”
After he handed over the letters, Mercado recalls that the Pope, “Looked at the letter, and the handshake that I received was very affirming.”
The letters consisted of unfiltered accounts of life in Chicago, revealing the realities faced by their families and communities in light of the current ICE raids. Their testimonies expose the impact of current administrative policies, offering a look at the challenges and struggles of immigrant neighborhoods.
“It was a great joy to be able to say to our students that the Pope has read your words, that the Pope understands what the community is facing here in Chicago, that the Pope is concerned with what’s happening here, and that the Pope is praying for us and advocating for us.” said Mercado.
The trip also included a pilgrimage through the Holy Door, where Mercado held a cross as they “prayed for families that have been separated, prayed for the people that have been deported, prayed for people who are still living in fear, [and] people who aren’t feeling comfortable to go grocery shopping or to go to church.”
After his return, Mercado continues his work through advocacy. He participated in a procession from St. Eulalia parish to the Broadview detention center with the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership. Ministers attempted to bring communion to the detainees, but were rejected by ICE.
On All Saints Day, ministry held mass at the detention center with Auxiliary Bishop José María Garcia-Maldonado, where he spoke about his experiences as an immigrant, and the importance of not looking away from suffering.
Mercado hopes to continue focusing on providing pastoral care and support for students through university ministry.
Ministry is hosting a day of prayer and solidarity on Nov. 13, Mother Cabrini’s feast day. The event will run from noon to 8 p.m., ending with a candlelight mass.
Mercado says that he hopes that students take away that, “no matter how dark these times get, there is always light. There is always hope.”
