The Jericho Walk

Deborah Kair – Westchester Chapter and Maryknoll Full Circle

A Jericho Walk is a silent, symbolic prayerful walk inspired by the biblical story of the walls of Jericho Participants march around a significant location seven times, praying for walls of injustice or hardship to fall, mirroring the Israelites who marched around Jericho seven times, crying out to God for an end to their continued oppression, before the city walls collapsed. Current walks are often organized in front of government buildings or other locations, like immigration centers, related to social justice issues. They emphasize community involvement and collective prayer and are done to seek divine intervention and guidance.

The Lunch & Learn Group at the Maryknoll Sisters sponsored a Jericho Walk on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the Maryknoll Sisters' Center. The previous week, Pope Leo had invited the Church to observe the United Nations International Day of Migrants and Refugees so the Walk coincided with the end of the Season of Creation on the feast of St. Francis. “Many migrants, refugees and displaced persons are privileged witnesses of hope,” Pope Leo wrote. “Indeed, they demonstrate this daily through their resilience and trust in God, as they face adversity while seeking a future in which they glimpse that integral human development and happiness are possible.”

All expressions of Maryknoll were invited to participate in the Jericho Walk. Representing Full Circle, Ann Loretan, Sr. Ellen McDonald, and I were able to attend. The group was very inclusive as all ages and ranges of mobility were encouraged and assisted in participating. One could walk as many circuits of the walk as was do-able.

Some years ago, this practice was revived by the New Sanctuary Coalition in NYC. For years, they have held weekly Jericho Walks at 26 Federal Plaza where ICE is located. By their witness, prayer, and unity, they draw attention to the unjust detention, incarceration, and deportation of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers that have been taking place there since the Obama administration. Since the beginning of Trump's term, the Walk has additional purposes. Besides bearing witness to the inhumane treatment of immigrants by ICE personnel, walkers support the grieving families waiting for their loved ones to come back from their interviews, and when they do not, they can help the family locate their family member.

The process for our Walk was simple. We began our prayer by facing objects representing the mistreatment and suffering of immigrants. This was a shrine of everyday items immigrants need or encounter. Spread out on tables were such item s as: a knapsack, sandals, water, clothing, toys, socks, and cherished pictures along with chains used to bind and dehumanize and poster boards of recent photos of those caught up in the ICE detention process.

Sr. Teresa Hougnon blew the shofar at the beginning of each segment of the walk. (A shofar is a ram’s horn used in special Jewish ceremonies to symbolize spiritual awakening. The loud and jarring sound is meant to pierce through indifference.) Those hearing it are reminded to reaffirm faith in God's Sovereignty. Walkers then said the Jericho prayer and began, in silence, to walk the circuit that encompassed the objects of our prayer.

As we walked, we said internal prayers or engaged in silent reflection, aware that we were not alone but surrounded by others whose desire matched our own. At the end of each circuit, we extended our hands prayerfully, silently beseeching conversion of hearts and the end of inhumane treatment of our brothers and sisters.

At the end of the seventh circuit, we said the Jericho prayer aloud together, the shofar was blown again, and we used our noise-makers to create a crescendo of uproar to bring down the wall of hate, injustice, suffering, and indifference. Ending with signs and hugs of peace, we all left with hearts full of solidarity, hope and encouragement.

It was not until I was driving home that the full emotion of being able to participate in this public witness of faith and justice hit me. Until a couple of years ago, I joined relatively regularly in the walks at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. The last couple of years I have also participated locally in providing food assistance, transportation help, and teaching English to migrants in my community. Most recently, since ICE presence has become customary, I have taken part in an informal group offering presence (protection) to migrants seeking work at street corners.

The people I have met through these events have given me hope, encouragement, and a deep belief in the goodness of all people. The migrants I have met tell us how their hope for a better life for their family is renewed by our presence, and how their fear and hopelessness are alleviated every time they see one of us. In turn, I see within each of them the care they have for me and my compatriots.

Recently, however, it has been hard to talk of these meaningful experiences with others, as the reactions I get are often angry, demeaning, scary, or just plain wrong. So, although my actions have not ceased, my comments and discussions have become less frequent and less up-front.  Which makes our joint actions for justice all the more meaningful. Being able to walk, pray and talk in a forthright manner with others who share my desires for our country puts energy back in my spirit and hope back in my heart. For this I am so grateful!

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