Columban Missionaries: A song to inspire 'Welcome and Love'

In celebration of Refugee Week 2025 - 16 -22 June - the Columban Missionaries are proud to release a new hymn, titled 'Welcome and Love', as a creative expression of this year's theme: 'Community as a Superpower'.

Written by Columban Justice and Peace Co-ordinator James Trewby, this special hymn celebrates the strength found in togetherness and the power of communities to offer welcome, safety and belonging to those forced to flee their homes. It offers a powerful way to bring faith into action and nurture a culture of compassion among children, schools, and communities alike.

Accompanying migrants and refugees is one of the Columban Missionary Society's core global priorities. Inspired by our Catholic faith and the Gospel call to welcome the stranger, we are committed to building communities of compassion, justice and inclusion. Whether offering shelter and solidarity to destitute asylum seekers at Fatima House in Birmingham, standing alongside displaced families at the US-Mexico border, or advocating for migrant rights in Taiwan, Columbans walk with displaced people recognising their dignity, resilience and the gifts they bring.

Speaking about his inspiration for the hymn, James explains: "For years I've been saying we need more hymns about putting Christian faith into action for the common good, especially about welcoming the stranger, and proclaiming Church teaching in the face of hostile rhetoric and the scapegoating of people seeking sanctuary." He adds, "But I hadn't done more than suggest it to others!"

He continues, "It was during the Church of Sanctuary Conference last summer that Professor Robert Beckford made the same point in his keynote lecture. I listened and nodded, but still didn't act!" A few months later, while leading a formation day for 450 Catholic school teachers on the theme of 'Welcoming the Stranger', James quoted Beckford and looked hopefully to the room, waiting for someone to volunteer to take the idea forward. "No one did," he recalls, "and I realised it was probably time to put pen to paper and try it myself!"

With support from his daughter Grace and creative collaboration from Columban Faith in Action Volunteers past and present, including Abi Yendole, Hannah Lonergan and Catherine Bridgwood, as well as several 'false starts' and trials with local school groups, 'Welcome and Love' was born.

"Each verse of the hymn explores different aspects of welcoming refugees and migrants, grounded in Catholic social teaching and calling the listener to act with compassion." Explains James, "The chorus anchors the message in the biblical story of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, reminding us that Jesus himself lived as a refugee."

Catholic educators are encouraged to make full use of the resource pack, adapting it to suit their needs, perhaps creating actions to accompany the lyrics, reflecting on its message and using it as a tool to engage and educate their wider school and parish communities.

Resource pack includes:

Sheet music and chords

Lyrics in multiple formats

A backing track

A video singalong recording

An accompanying lesson plan

See all details at: https://columbans.co.uk/education/16478/a-song-to-inspire-welcome-and-love/