Madonna and Child
Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
Dajabon, Dominican Republic
Dr. Katrine Camilleri, a JRS lawyer in Malta, received the 2007 Nansen Refugee Award from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In receiving this prestigious award, Katrine said, "I hope that this award serves to draw attention to the suffering detention causes to thousands of innocent people in Malta and elsewhere and that it generates a real search for alternatives which respect people's dignity and rights."
Below she prayerfully describes her own experience of working with detainees and asylum seekers in Malta.
Asylum seekers in Malta are detained for long months in very tough conditions. As a lawyer, I offer them information, advice and legal assistance and I lobby for improved protection procedures. My work pitches me against the forces that shape government policy in the field of immigration. This has made me sharply aware of my powerlessness, that is, my true place in the larger scheme of things. It has brought home the painful realization that often there is little or nothing I can do to ease detainees’ suffering. This is hard to accept, so hard that at times I am tempted to give up, to turn away from the pain and to live more comfortably. Often, the only thing that keeps me going is the image of Mary at the foot of the cross. I am sure she must have been dying to tear Jesus off the cross, to do something for him, but she was helpless. The only thing she could do was to be there, so there she stayed, although it must have been the most difficult thing she ever had to do. Like Mary, being there is often all I can offer, and I have realized that this presence is precious. It has instilled in me a certainty that no matter how little my efforts may achieve, if they are part of God’s plan, some good will come out of them even if I never get to see it.
Adapted from God in Exile, 2005
Suggestion for Prayer
Scripture reading for prayer:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
John 19:25-27
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Katrine Camilleri, left, with mother and child
seeking asylum at refugee center in Malta
Share your Reflection
We invite you to share with other visitors to this site the fruit of your prayer on this month’s reflection. Click on the button below to submit your reflection.
Shared Reflections
This website made us aware of the plight of the refugees as well as the wonderful people who are helping. We will keep both the refugees and the JVS workers in our prayers.
The prayers, music and pictures do a great job of relating the scriptures to humanity's daily struggles.
Keep up the good work, all for the greater glory of God.
Lowry & Rebecca Stoops
Canonsburg, PA
I feel this piece calls me to unite my dialy efforts to the struggles of refugees around the world. I find it important to know how the body of Christ is fairing in other parts of the world, and this piece helped me do just that.
Thank you.
Your Brother In Christ
Syracuse, NY
The life and work of Dr. Camilleri are inspiring and her pain is so moving! It's not hard to understand why she feels so helpless; she has found a true icon for her grief in Mary's stance by the Cross. It brings to mind that beautiful old hymn, The Stabat Mater
At the Cross her station keeping
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
We need to stand with Mary and with all those who are at the foot of the Cross with her, with all those helping to make life better for others. It reminds me again of the importance of the Communion of Saints — of the treasure we have in our being united with each other in Christ.
Mine with thee be that sad station,
There to watch the great salvation
Wrought upon the atoning tree.
Dr. Camilleri will be in my prayers — may she know the presence and power of Christ's love in her own life as well as in those she serves.
Beacon, USA
The article about Dr. Katrine Camilleri made me think about my experiences helping with my church's Interfaith Hospitality Network. After my first experience working with the homeless, I never wanted to do it again because of the pain I felt for the families. However, I know that the little bit of comfort that I can give to these families is well worth the pain I may be feeling.
PS - I love the website and all you wonderful people are doing! Keep up the great work!
Audora Stoops
Canonsburgh, USA
p.s - I love the website and all you wonderful people are doing! Keep up the great work!
