The Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Madrid, will join the emergency reception network for migrants. The initiative, which will begin at the end of 2026, aims to provide a dignified space for newcomers.
The Archdiocese of Madrid adds a new pillar to its work of welcoming migrants. The Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe has committed to integrating into the Hospitality Table, a network that offers temporary accommodation to newly arrived individuals in the capital. The expectation is that effective reception will begin from December 2026 or January 2027, once the space's refurbishment is completed.
A Decision Years in the Making
The incorporation has not been sudden. As Carlos Alonso, parish priest of Our Lady of Guadalupe, explained, the idea has been in the works for some time. "For a while now, several people from the parish were aware of this archdiocesan initiative," he noted. The community, with a strong Hispanic presence, has always shown sensitivity towards the situation of migrants, although until now, participation as a parish had not been formalised.
In fact, some parishioners were already collaborating individually. Aurora Álvarez, a volunteer since the project's inception in 2015, explained that she had covered shifts in other parishes such as Santa Irene, San Ireneo, or the Jesuits of Ventilla. "I was very excited for Our Lady of Guadalupe to participate because it will be very good for the parish and very inclusive," she commented.
Quality and Warmth Requirements
To be part of the network, the parish must meet certain standards. Rufino García Antón, delegate for Human Mobility Pastoral, explained that "a reception of quality and warmth" is required. Warmth is taken for granted among the faithful, but quality involves adapting the facilities. The space must include a dining area, bathrooms, a shower, a resting area for the guests, and another separate room for volunteers.
Currently, the parish is in the midst of refurbishment. "We still need to install a sink and a laundry area," the parish priest acknowledged. The works are progressing, but actual reception will not take place until the end of the year.
A Project that Transforms the Community
The initiative not only benefits migrants but also revitalises the parish community. García Antón highlighted that "the reception enriches and revitalises the community." Parishioners will organise by families to spend time with the guests, prepare dinner, and share breakfast. Lunches, however, will need to be held at other resources so that volunteers can work.
The auxiliary bishop of Madrid, Vicente Martín, emphasised the importance of going beyond volunteering: "We do not want to be simply volunteers, but pastoral agents with an evangelising dimension." At the recent Social Pastoral meeting, it was prioritised to "attend to and defend the last in society," which involves listening, welcoming, promoting, and also defending.
A Growing Network
The Hospitality Table is made up of the Human Mobility delegation, SERCADE, Caritas, Justice and Peace, the Community of Sant’Egidio, and CONFER, as well as several schools and religious communities. The incorporation of Our Lady of Guadalupe expands the reception capacity in the capital, where the arrival of migrants remains a constant reality.
García Antón invited other parishes to join the network, reminding that "there is more joy in giving than in receiving." For the residents of the Community of Madrid, this initiative represents an example of solidarity that can be replicated in other neighbourhoods, offering shelter and dignified treatment to those who need it most.
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