Archbishop Paul Coakley invited the more than 120,000 Catholics of his archdiocese to take part. He said Nov. 22 that the project provides "an opportunity to support our brothers and sisters who are caught up in this impasse."
"I want to help move our great nation toward a more just solution to the situation that keeps so many of our brothers and sisters living in the shadows of our society," he said.
A group of young adults from the group Dream Act Oklahoma will eat only one meal each day for 11 days, marking the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants. They will also engage the public at Oklahoma City's Holy Angels Catholic Church through information workshops, movies, and discussions. They will host open mic nights for immigrants to share their stories of detention and deportation as well as stories of hope.
Father Tim Luschen, pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, said Nov. 22 he hopes the project will make people aware of the need for immigration reform and help them "see that those who suffer from the broken system are people who are here and seeking the same life that all people seek."
"They are all our brothers and sisters in Christ and they have a human face," he said.
Archbishop Coakley prayed a novena for immigration reform from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31. On Nov. 24, he blessed a prayer procession from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to Holy Angels Catholic Church.
On Nov. 25, Archbishop Gomez asked Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect those who are "forced to live at the margins of this great country."
"Friends, as we give thanks to God this week with our families, let's pray for all those who can't be together on this holiday. Let's pray for a new spirit of welcoming and generosity – so that everyone can join us in the promise of America."