“Be artisans of peace, heralds of peace, witnesses of peace!” This was the appeal made by Pope Leo XIV at the conclusion of his first Apostolic Journey. From 27 November to 2 December, the Pope undertook an ecumenical pilgrimage through several stages in Turkey and Lebanon, carrying a message of unity and peace.

As a testament to the commitment to building more peaceful societies, on the final day of his journey at the Marian Shrine of Harissa in Lebanon, the Pope listened to a series of testimonies that offered a glimpse into the life of the Church at work in the country. Among them was the story of Loren, a woman who was forced to leave her home in the Philippines, seventeen years ago and found refuge in Lebanon. In Beirut she was welcomed by the Arrupe Migrant Centre, a parish where JRS and the Jesuits offer shelter and a safe space for migrants.

She shared how she now devotes part of her time to serving the most vulnerable with JRS Lebanon.

Below her full testimony:

Holy Father,

Today I stand before You not only as a member of our Church but also as a migrant.

My name is Loren. I come from the Philippines and have been living and working here in Lebanon as a domestic worker for seventeen years. Like many migrants, I left my home not because I wanted to, but because I needed to – to build a better future for my family and those I love.

My journey has not always been easy. But even far from home, I have found purpose, not only in my work but also in service to others. I volunteer with Couples for Christ Lebanon, the Arrupe Migrants’ Centre, and in my parish, Saint Joseph Tabaris, which I now consider my second home.

During the war, many migrants had nowhere to go. With the help of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), our church became a shelter. I was proud to serve there, even as I too was staying there. I met people who had left everything behind, broken not just by war but also by betrayal and abandonment.

One story I carry in my heart is that of a young couple: James and Lela.

James, a Sudanese caretaker, and Lela were expecting their second child. When the war broke out, their employer locked them inside their house as bombs fell nearby. Then their employer fled, leaving them trapped with no way out.

But James and Lela refused to give up. Even though the “kafala system”, which ties workers to their employers, meant they could lose their jobs and residency, they broke free. On the day their daughter was born, they walked for three days until they reach our church.

When I saw them, my heart broke. Imagine: a mother who had just given birth walking for three days, carrying her newborn, with her husband, and their three-year-old son. In their courage, I saw God’s light shining even in the darkest moments.

Our Pastor begins every Mass with the words: “WELCOME HOME.” Those words give us hope. A reminder that as migrants we are never alone, and that God’s love surrounds us even far from home.

Migrants like me are not just workers. We are coworkers, we are contributors in this country, helpers, builders. We bring our culture, share our values, offer our talents, and open our hearts. We care for children, cook meals, clean homes, and carry burdens, often silently. And, yet we also bring hope.

Through our Church’s mission, I have witnessed miracles – not always big, but small acts of love that change lives. We continue this mission together – as one body in Christ – reaching out to our fellow migrants, to the lost, and to the broken. I thank God for allowing me to serve, to love, and to bring hope where it is needed most.

Thank you, Holy Father – Loren Capobres