The Catholic sister ministering to migrants at our border

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.

America Media

Spirituality, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.9 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 27 January 2026

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J., the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, joins “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk with host Fr. James Martin, S.J., about her four decades of ministry with migrants and refugees on the U.S.-Mexico border, in South Texas. Together, they discuss: - Sister Norma’s call to religious life, what prayer practices have sustained her over the years and the big boost she received from Pope Francis. - Misconceptions about migrants and refugees and how best to address them. - The power of personal encounter in changing minds and hearts, along with Sister Norma’s commitment to being present to those she ministers to. Read Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode: Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	At the recent jubilee of young people in Rome, Pope Leo called on participants to spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith.
0:07.4	At Boston College Klaus School of Theology and Ministry, you are invited to answer that call through graduate theological studies.
0:14.0	100% of master's students receive scholarships.
0:17.3	Learn more at bc.edu slash cSTM.
0:20.6	So I think when there are difficult times... Learn more at BC.edu slash CSTM.
0:28.6	So I think when there are difficult times, I think I always turn to this phrase from the scripture that says, be still and know I am God.
0:37.3	Welcome to the spiritual life.
0:39.3	I'm Father Jim Martin.
0:40.7	On this podcast, we reflect on how people experience God in their prayer and in their daily
0:46.0	lives.
0:46.5	And I am joined by my indefatigable producer, Maggie Van Dorn.
0:51.3	Maggie, good to be with you.
0:52.3	It's good to be with you, Jim.
0:58.0	And I hope I'm indefatagable. I can't say it, but I hope I am that for you. I think you are that. Good to be with you. And this time we are
1:05.3	speaking with Sister Norma Pimentel. Can you tell us a little bit about this amazing woman? Yeah, I would be
1:10.6	glad too. So Sister Norma Pimentel is Can you tell us a little bit about this amazing woman? Yeah, I would be glad too. So
1:11.5	Sister Norma Pimentel is a missionary of Jesus, and for over 12 years, she has been the executive
1:18.2	director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. She is nationally recognized for her
1:24.2	compassionate leadership in serving migrants and refugees at the U.S. Mexico border
1:28.9	and for her advocacy for humane faith-based responses to migration. Yeah, and I think what's
1:34.4	interesting is also that pretty much for all of her life in a religious order and the missionaries
1:39.4	of Jesus, she has been working with migrants and refugees, you know, almost all of her adult life.
	...

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