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Articles by Tracey Horan
Opposing ICE actions against migrants-without dehumanizing ICE agents
In recent months, I’ve become increasingly uneasy as I watch pro-migrant groups employ the tools of the oppressor: mockery and dehumanization. Certainly, widespread resistance to violent ICE tactics is important and necessary at this moment. This resistance makes it clear that Americans don’t think federal agents abducting their neighbors makes their communities safer. I’m a big believer that there are many ways to make change, and they are all important.
La esperanza no tiene sentido aquí, pero es real
Miro alrededor del comedor de la Iniciativa Fronteriza Kino, donde los migrantes reciben ayuda humanitaria y acompañamiento integral en Nogales, México, y veo a personas cuyas esperanzas se vieron frustradas el 20 de enero de 2025. Ese fue el día en que el presidente Trump tomó posesión y firmó una orden ejecutiva que eliminaba efectivamente su acceso al asilo en los Estados Unidos.
At a migrant shelter in Mexico, hope may not make sense, but it's real
I look around the comedor at the Kino Border Initiative where migrants receive humanitarian aid and holistic accompaniment in Nogales, Mexico, and I see people whose hopes were dashed on Jan. 20, 2025. That was the day that President Trump was inaugurated and signed an executive order effectively eliminating their access to asylum in the United States.
Jubilee Year at the US-Mexico border: A grounded, tested hope
The wall at the U.S.-Mexico border is seen in the background as migrants from South and Central America look to surrender to immigration officials after crossing into the United States from Mexico in Ruby, Ariz., June 24, 2024. (OSV News photo/Adrees Latif, Reuters) Carlota's hope "We never lost faith and hope because we always prayed." Carlota’s* words echoed in my ears as I watched the exquisite "Dear America" video the ACLU created to shine a light on her story earlier this month.
Jubilee Year at the US-Mexico border: A grounded, tested hope
The wall at the U.S.-Mexico border is seen in the background as migrants from South and Central America look to surrender to immigration officials after crossing into the United States from Mexico in Ruby, Ariz., June 24, 2024. (OSV News photo/Adrees Latif, Reuters) Carlota's hope "We never lost faith and hope because we always prayed." Carlota’s* words echoed in my ears as I watched the exquisite "Dear America" video the ACLU created to shine a light on her story earlier this month.
Thanksgiving as a metaphor for resistance
It's a good question. As I reflected on what kept me going during those years, I found that the image of Thanksgiving gatherings actually provided an apt metaphor. Though my experience of Thanksgiving over the years has varied in location and cast of characters, it has always been about collectivity. A motley crew brings what they have and what they can offer to the table. We spend time together, long hours of chatting and eating, commiserating and celebrating. The dishes and roles vary.
Both Republicans and Democrats spread anti-immigrant views, says Bishop Seitz
The bishop leading the U.S. Catholic Church's response on migration issues said that both major political parties are inflaming anti-immigrant sentiment in the country. "Both parties [are] becoming anti-immigration," said El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, speaking April 11 at a conference at the Catholic University of America. "[We] can't just say 'Catholics are Democrats,' or 'Catholics are Republicans' on the immigration issue," said the prelate, chairman of the U.S. bishops' migration committee.
Two years on, impact of Catholic Sisters Walking with Migrants spreads Original
Editor's note: Global Sisters Report launches a new series, "Welcoming the Stranger," which takes a closer look at women religious working with immigrants and migrants. The series will feature sisters and organizations networking to better serve those crossing borders, global migration trends and the topic of immigration in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Can the church change? It's all about the collective
Members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops start a working session in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall Oct. 18. The synod on synodality runs through Oct. 29. (CNS/Lola Gomez) I remember exactly where I was when I learned that Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been elected as the 266th pope. I was running on a treadmill in the basement of a building on our motherhouse campus at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Can the church change? It's all about the collective
I remember exactly where I was when I learned that Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been elected as the 266th pope. I was running on a treadmill in the basement of a building on our motherhouse campus at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. It was during my year as a volunteer at the White Violet Center, our congregation's organic farm. I was just dipping my toes into serious discernment about religious life.
I said yes to a life of poverty, chastity and obedience Original
She may not have said it exactly like that, but her point was that she wanted to give me something that I might need for this transition. I thought for a minute, and then said that I had always wanted a nice ring that I could wear on my left hand as I wade into this commitment. It need not be new, but a sturdy hand-me-down band that would not turn my hand a different shade would be nice.
Crucify him: Stepping aside from the angry mob on Good Friday
Last month, I traveled to one of our partner institutions to give a presentation. I invited those present for the event to turn to the people at their table and share what words, phrases or images came to mind for them when they heard the word "migrant." I then sat down at the closest table just in time to hear the woman next to me say, "Well, I think of the words 'legal' and 'illegal.' I just think people should come the legal way.
Sisters at our best: Cookies and cardboard tables at the US-Mexico border
The impulse to seek connection that I first spotted in our initial Zoom meeting continued in Sister Marge's interactions with families at Kino. She had once visited Guerrero and met sisters there who made delicious cookies. She was surprised to find that so many families arriving at Kino were from the state of Guerrero and was curious if they had ever connected with the same sisters.
New Ways Ministry conference holds up a mirror to our sacred stories
Apr 6, 2022 I arrived in Racine, Wisconsin, on a Friday afternoon in March, where 44 Sisters from 22 congregations were coming together for the New Ways Ministry gathering. I looked around and smiled, thinking, "Sisters sure do have a knack for creating intentional space." There were rainbow-colored centerpieces and candles, chocolate bars and what appeared to be pins displaying various LGBTQ flags.
See, I am doing something new! Do you not perceive it?
Jul 23, 2021 Remember when you were young? Older folks would say things like, "You are the future!" Well, imagine being 33 years old and hearing this refrain echo from others with whom you share a life and mission. This kind of talk is one of my pet peeves in conversations with other religious sisters, whether from my own congregation, the Sisters of Providence, or during inter-congregational gatherings.
Common life: We all speak in tongues
May 28, 2021 For nearly two years now, I've been living in a place where the majority of my day is spent speaking a language that I did not grow up speaking. I have long admired people who can speak multiple languages, and I remember having deep respect for the Sister of Providence who entered the congregation with me and experienced her first three years of formation in the United States while still learning English. Communication across languages and cultures can be grueling.
Good Friday hope bridges pain and love at the border
Apr 2, 2021 This article appears in the Lent feature series. View the full series. In Mexico, today is called "Viernes de Dolores," or "Painful Friday." The sisters I live with found it odd that in English, we call it "Good Friday." The more I thought about it, the more I found it strange, too. It's easy to see the good in Good Friday when we've had a preview of what comes on Easter Sunday.
Gospel Grieving: Breaking Bread and Remembering
Video Courtesy of AEC Relationship Ministries “While he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him …” (Luke 24:30-31). One of the most challenging things for me to adapt to while living in another culture has been making food for my housemates.
Day 4: Repairing the Breach, Waiting for the Light
BY TRACEY HORAN, S.P. | February 29, 2020 Today’s Readings I recently found myself looking out upon a room of about 100 Mexican asylum seekers at Kino Border Initiative’s migrant aid center in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Despite the cold, and the fact that many carried children in tow, the room was brimming with people who wanted to respond to the injustice they were experiencing as they waited their turn to be processed at the port of entry and begin their asylum proceedings.
Communities welcome young women to the sisterhood through international outreach
Younger sisters attracting other younger women. Developing relationships as caring adults with young women. Inviting young women to share in service missions with sisters. Participating in campus activities and offering prayer services and retreats. Inviting women discerning religious life in other countries, such as the Philippines, Kenya and Tanzania, to consider joining. Share updates from your congregation or community with GSR's Community News page.
The danger of growing accustomed
Finally I have a room. I mean, a room where I'll be staying for more than a month or six weeks — where I can hang things on a wall for a while. It's taken me nine weeks and three moves to get to this "forever-for-now" room, and I'm so grateful. It's led me to think a great deal about how we as humans grow accustomed to changes. Whether I moved across the hall or across the country, every move over the past months has brought some annoyances at first, some things I wasn't accustomed to.
Living the vow of openhandedness
One thing I love about apostolic life is the opportunity to pare down my belongings that comes with moving every few years. There is something cleansing about going through papers and recycling things, acknowledging I haven't worn a shirt for a year so it's time to let go, wondering why I've hung on to random gadgets that at some point I had sworn I might use someday. Well, someday never came for those sunglasses with holographic images of the Blessed Mother in each lens.
Jesus the 'Great Questioner'
"What would you do if you had no fear?" I can still picture the way the restaurant looked and the Sister of Providence who was sitting across the table from me. I was pondering my path and grappling with my next steps— a 25-year-old seriously discerning religious life but torn between two religious communities I loved. I don't remember all the details of the conversation. I do remember that she did not tell me which way to turn, although I'm sure she had ideas.
Hold onto hope and onto each other
On Dec. 31, 2018, I joined a few of my Sisters of Providence for what has become an annual ritual among some women in initial formation in our religious community: welcoming the new year together. For the past six years, apart from one New Year's Eve family wedding, I have welcomed the new year in some fashion at our motherhouse in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. The location and cast of characters have varied.
Widening circles of community
From the time I first connected with the Indianapolis Catholic Worker House of the Little Flower in 2013, I was taken by the creative growth and expanding circles of community that happen when a group of people from different walks of life gather around values of inclusion, hospitality and simple living.
Companions for a discerning feminist
The summer of 2012, I gave God an ultimatum. I would train to run 26.2 miles and pray all along the way, and by the time I reached the finish line in November, God would answer the question on my heart: Was I being called to religious life? It's humorous to me in hindsight, but at the time, I was desperate. I had spent the better part of two years going back and forth about a call to religious life, which to my 24-year-old self felt like an eternity.
Celebrating 8th Day Center for Justice
The Sisters of Providence and Providence Associates pose together Aug. 18 at the celebration closing of the 8th Day Center for Justice, Chicago. (Provided photo) I can still see where we were sitting — Sr. Kathleen Desautels across from me at the big dining room table as light streamed into the convent at Maternity BVM in Chicago's Humboldt Park.
To be American: an evolving identity
An immigrant leader with Faith in Indiana participates in A Day Without Immigrants and Workers march on May 1, 2017. (Tracey Horan) I can still picture it: my teacher Gato (so dubbed because his eyes were two different colors, "like a cat," he said) and me hunched over an article in a small booth-like classroom at a Spanish immersion school in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
Cling tightly to me
"Cling tightly to me," I heard the Holy One say. Or as our foundress, St. Mother Theodore Guerin, lovingly known as "Mama T," would put it, "Lean with all your weight on Providence, and you will find yourself well supported." Lately I've been testing this theory over and over — sometimes by choice, sometimes as a result of circumstances beyond my control. I've been testing the idea that if I lean into God, if I lean into others, I'll be supported. I've struggled with finding my footing.
Toppled compost, rejected stones
At a recent People's Candidate Forum in Indianapolis, Crystal celebrates working with Faith in Indiana to end money bail. (Courtesy of Faith in Indiana / Corie Farnsley) Last week the sisters in my house were all a-buzz about the compost mishap. The glorious new outdoor bin I ordered as our house Christmas gift had been toppled in the night. Could it have been a squirrel? Maybe the windy weather was the culprit?
With Mary at the foot of the cross
As much as I lament the ways we have become polarized in the U.S., I myself participate in the creation of "information silos." But I recently took an opportunity to experience the vibrations at the other end of the spectrum.
Holy disruption continues to shape my journey today
I'm what you might call a cradle Catholic. I grew up in the "Catholic ghetto" on the south side of Indianapolis. Everyone I knew, aside from a few Asians and adopted kids at my school, was white and Catholic. My senior year of high school, I experienced a significant holy disruption to the bubble of white privilege in which I lived — a holy disruption that continues to shape my journey today. The year was 2006.
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