Students promote migration justice in the name of Mother Cabrini
Between October 2nd and 4th, 2026, students from Catholic Universities across the USA gathered in Chicago, for the Cabrini Student Organizing Summit on Migration.
The weekend, organized by the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) engaged students in dialogues, reflections and discussions to enable participants to address migration justice back at their campuses.
Sr. Evarlyne Ndeti, MSC, who is currently studying in Chicago, attended the summit. This is her testimony.
The summit program was utterly amazing. It was wonderful to meet the two Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) staff members, Jorge and Jon, as well as the student representatives and coordinators from various Catholic universities across the US.
Centering our thoughts on the theme of Mother Cabrini, we reflected deeply on who she was, what she achieved, and everything she did to spread Christ’s love all over the world.
During our time together, we engaged in group discussions and met in distinct groups based on our respective universities.
Coming from Loyola University in Chicago, I met with three other Loyola delegates: Amelie Malone, Karoline Chidester, and Yoha Salmerón Chaparro. This allowed me not only to collaborate with them but also to truly get to know them.
Jorge Palacios Jr., the Migration Coordinator for Youth Engagement, shared a profound personal story on immigration. It was incredible to hear his story and to learn how Mother Cabrini influences him personally.
While attending this summit, one question kept echoing in my mind. It was a core part of our discussion on the first night, which focused on "Encounter" and understanding our own stories. It made me reflect deeply on my own journey as a student, an MSC, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, an aunt, and a godmother. I pondered how knowing my own identity and abilities shapes my relationships with others.
The entire weekend was beautifully designed around knowing ourselves, knowing others, and building relationships aimed at standing with immigrants. The conversation seamlessly moved through storytelling and reimagining our collective mission.
In addition to Jorge's insights, we also heard from Jon Gromek, the Director of Justice Formation and Action for the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN). Jon shared powerful frameworks on resistance, awakening, and bringing fresh perspectives to migration.
Following these great discussions, we moved into action planning. As students from Loyola, we brainstormed concrete ways to address the migration crisis at the campus level. We focused on how we can ensure everyone on campus feels valued and loved, carrying forward Mother Cabrini’s message of love and reminding ourselves that it must be living, active and true. After completing our action planning, each university representative shared their ideas in a large group.
We concluded the summit with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr. David Inczauskis, SJ, who spoke passionately in his homily about his ministry collaborating with the immigration coalition. He shared his experiences visiting detention centres and tirelessly advocating for the rights of immigrants.
Overall, the Cabrini Student Organizing Summit on Migration was a transformative event, and I am incredibly grateful to have been a participant. Looking ahead, our Loyola University delegation is already organizing a Cabrini Week of Action for Migration Justice, which is scheduled to happen from November 8th to November 16th, 2026.