St. Louis, USA — September 18, 2025 — A moving new exhibition titled Reflejos – El Paso has opened at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury, presenting photographs, poems, and reflections from students and educators who joined the Solidarity at the Border pilgrimage. The show gives visitors a chance to experience the realities of migration at the U.S.–Mexico border through first-hand perspectives.
Organized by the Archdiocesan Office of Peace and Justice, the annual pilgrimage exposes participants to the humanitarian and spiritual dimensions of migration. Attendees witness ministries in action, celebrate a bi-national Mass on the Rio Grande, and reflect on their encounters. The exhibition distills those experiences into art and narrative panels that combine student photos with quotes from recent Popes.
For many contributors, the trip reshaped their understanding of migration. One student wrote: “The stories I heard deepened my understanding of the border crisis, strengthened connections with fellow students, and inspired me to seek out diverse perspectives.” Others emphasized the importance of listening closely and resisting surface-level opinions.
Becky Giunta, director of service learning at Nerinx Hall, recalled standing atop Mount Cristo Rey and realizing the harshness of the terrain faced by migrants. “No one does this on purpose,” she said, noting that crossing such land is often a desperate last resort to protect loved ones.
Another student, Gabriela Mendoza, a first-generation Mexican-American, described the journey as deeply personal. “It was powerful being where all of this is happening,” she said, adding that it gave her the confidence to speak openly about immigration issues that once felt too close to home.
The exhibition will remain at the Cardinal Rigali Center for three weeks before traveling across parishes, schools, and community institutions throughout the archdiocese. By combining faith, art, and lived testimony, it invites visitors to reflect not only on border realities but also on solidarity, compassion, and justice.
Through Reflejos – El Paso, the voices of young people and educators extend beyond the border, offering a poignant reminder that migration is not an abstract issue but a human story—one that continues to unfold daily.
