Calls for a work, school and shopping boycott --- combined with broader calls to rallies, prayer services and other events --- drew crowds across the country May 1 as supporters of immigration reform staged their second day of major activities in less than a month.

In Philadelphia, Cardinal Justin Rigali celebrated a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, in which he emphasized the U.S. history of welcoming immigrants.

The nation has offered people fleeing conditions of poverty and persecution and other difficult situations "relief and opportunity, freedom and justice," Cardinal Rigali said in his homily. "Above all it has recognized and sustained their human dignity and given them the opportunity to enjoy the blessings of God to provide for their family and to transmit these blessings to us."

Businesses owned and staffed by immigrants were closed around Philadelphia, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, as thousands of people attended rallies in locations around the region.

The May 1 events followed April 10's rallies and marches, which also drew hundreds of thousands of people in cities and towns large and small.

The events are organized by local groups. They have the central focus of calling on Congress to adopt legislation that helps some of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country to legalize their status and clear up the complex, backlogged system for legal immigration. Legislation has been stalled in the Senate.

The House passed a bill in December that, among other things, would dramatically expand immigration enforcement and would criminalize the act of being in the country illegally. It currently is only a violation of civil law. Opposition to that bill has been a rallying cry for many people.

Calls to boycott work and school by some activists were opposed by some of the country's most prominent Catholic leaders, including Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, who has been among the most outspoken church leaders advocating for comprehensive immigration reform. He encouraged people to stay at work and school May 1 and to join activities scheduled for later in the day.

Los Angeles was the scene of two major demonstrations. Police estimated that a morning march to City Hall drew 250,000 people. A second march at 4 p.m. along Wilshire Boulevard drew an estimated 400,000 people. (See page 8 for details.)

At a sunrise prayer service at Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles, Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala and others announced their commitment to continue praying and fasting for immigration reform until June 4, the feast of Pentecost.

Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George joined religious leaders at an interfaith prayer service during a rally at Grant Park.

He told a crowd which police estimated was 400,000 that they were gathered in pursuit of respect for human dignity and united families.

"Respect means that people who have been part of this country's social and economic fabric for years should not now be treated as if they do not count, as if their contribution can be simply dismissed and they, sent away," he said.

In Colorado, the Archdiocese of Denver declared the month of May as a time for prayer for justice for immigrants.

Father Jorge de los Santos, vicar of Hispanic clergy for the archdiocese, was principal celebrant at an evening bilingual Mass May 1 at Queen of Peace Church in Aurora, Colo. Plans called for the service to include a May crowning ceremony, followed by the recitation of the rosary with all asking for intercession for comprehensive immigration reform.

The bishops of Colorado -- Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Bishops Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs and Arthur N. Tafoya of Pueblo -- also had opposed walkouts from school or work. In an April 28 statement they encouraged people to devote time to learning about the contributions of immigrants and to activities that show solidarity for them, such as writing to legislators.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Joliet, Ill., hosted a rally with more than 600 people chanting and singing patriotic songs before they headed to the large march in Chicago.

Nuns and priests serving in Joliet, including representatives from the Carmelites, the Franciscans and Hermanas Josefinas, were scattered among the crowd. Other religious leaders such as Joliet Bishop Joseph L. Imesch and a handful of diocesan priests showed their support for the church's call for humane immigration reform during the two-hour rally.

"It's a justice issue. It's a human rights issue. It's a pro-life issue. It's a family issue. Bishop Imesch is here. All the American bishops are taking a stand. It's a great day," said Father Raymond Lescher, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Joliet, before the rally began.

"Cardinal Mahony has called for civil disobedience. I hope I'm the first one arrested in the diocese if (Rep. James) Sensenbrenner 's HR 4437 goes through," he told the Catholic Explorer, Joliet's diocesan newspaper.

HR 4437 is the bill that would criminalize illegal immigration, as well as criminalize the act of providing humanitarian or legal assistance to people who don't have permission to be in the country.

Luz Tellez-Ochoa, a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, emceed the rally.

"We all know the reason we are here. We are here because we are asking for equal rights for our sisters and our brothers that are here as immigrants," she said. "I myself am an immigrant. ... We are asking for family reunification, a pathway to citizenship, equal opportunity in education and equal labor rights."

The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, who represent 4,500 sisters, announced a press conference set for May 4 at which the presidents of 25 regional communities of the order would call on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. The Erie, Pa., regional community of the Sisters of Mercy set May 4 as a day of prayer and fasting for immigration reform.

Sister Lisa Mary McCartney, vice president of Erie community, said the Gospels and the heritage of the Mercy Sisters compels them to help those who are forced to move from their homelands and seek economic and physical survival elsewhere.

"In our spirit of welcome and hospitality, we have always ministered to immigrant persons and to those most vulnerable," she said.

Mercy Sister Malou Serrano, a member of the community's justice committee, urged citizens to contact U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum, both Republicans from Pennsylvania, to advocate for passage of an immigration policy that allows a pathway to lawful permanent residence and citizenship, meets immigrants' basic needs and encourages family unity and reunification.

---CNS