“This is a day that speaks to those who live in the shadows,” Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, told more than 3,500 faithful at a Mass attended by members of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership. Some 2,000 sat and stood in the courtyard outside Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, with 1,500 more inside the Sanctuary on Wednesday evening.

On March 18, 2026, CSPL was allowed into Broadview Detention Center to hold a Ash Wednesday liturgy with those detained inside. At 3 pm, we arrived with a small delegation of priests and sisters, who entered the center to offer Ashes to both detainees and guards.

On March 18, 2026, CSPL was allowed into Broadview Detention Center to hold a Ash Wednesday liturgy with those detained inside. At 3 pm, we arrived with a small delegation of priests and sisters, who entered the center to offer Ashes to both detainees and guards.

That evening, more than 3,500 worshipers joined a Mass and Procession outside Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. There Cardinal Blase Cupich said, “This is a day that speaks to those who live in the shadows. Our immigrant friends know the fear of the knock at the door or the traffic stop. God does not need papers to know where you are or who you are—when you cry alone, he sees you.”

Two priests, nun offered 4 detainees ashes and Communion Wednesday. Cardinal Cupich: ‘God does not need papers to know where you are or who you are—when you cry alone, He sees you.’

Faith leaders have received permission to enter the Broadview ICE facility, access granted from the Department of Homeland Security to honor Judge Gettleman’s order.

A federal judge ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow religious leaders into a detention facility in the Chicago suburbs for Ash Wednesday next week and enable them to offer communion going forward. 

Following a judicial injunction issued Thursday requiring the Department of Homeland Security to permit clergy access to the Broadview ICE facility, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) and the Scalabrinian Missionaries will hold a large outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass and peaceful procession in Melrose Park to begin the season of Lent. This will not be a procession to Broadview. 

The Mass and procession at Our Lady of Mount Carmel will serve as a powerful public moment of prayer and hope. Thousands are expected to gather as a public expression of prayer and solidarity with immigrant families.

This letter is the fourth sent since October 2025 by CSPL to DHS and ICE officials requesting access to provide pastoral care to immigrants being detained in Broadview Detention Center.