In support of just and humane immigration reform, several hundred worshippers brought their faith to the streets of Los Angeles as they attended an outdoor Mass at historic Our Lady Queen of Angels Church (La Placita) and joined in a Eucharistic procession led by Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis.

Carrying the monstrance under a canopy, the bishop --- director of ethnic ministries and the archdiocesan Office of Justice and Peace --- led the group from the parish to El Pueblo, a public square considered to be the birthplace of Los Angeles, a city founded by immigrants.

The event on the feast of Corpus Christi, kicked off the Dreams Across America Tour -- a weeklong, nationwide journey of 100 people called "dreamers" who will travel by train stopping in 10 cities and ending in Washington D.C., from June 13-20, to educate the public about the need for immigration reform.

During their stop, participants in the Dreams Across America Tour will work to "dispel myths, give real facts, and share personal stories about the need for just and humane immigration reform in this country." The tour will end in Washington, where members will testify before Congress on behalf of immigration reform.

Concelebrating the Mass in front of the church's tile mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Bishop Solis was Claretian Father Steve Niskanen, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels. In his homily, Father Niskanen said that Catholics are called "to the priesthood of the faithful" and to "do what Jesus Christ did."

"This is why he challenges his disciples in the Gospel (by saying), 'You give them something to eat," he said. "'You give them hope; you pick them up.' I think he is speaking distinctly about the immigrants today. Give them your prayers. Give them your heart and realize you are one body with them because the Lord has united us all together."

After praying before the Eucharist in the plaza gazebo, Father Niskanen led the group in a decade of the Luminous Mysteries. Between each decade, five of the Los Angeles people who will be traveling with the tour each told their immigration story. The speakers were from various countries, including Mexico and South Korea.

Virginia Franklin, an African American speaker, said she was traveling to Washington to represent the people of Los Angeles and to fight for the right of all people to have an education. She said she was also working to fulfill her mother's dream for her children and for all children to have an affordable advanced education.

Yolanda Ochoa, who also walked in the procession and attended the Mass, said that she came to the country illegally "for a better life" and knows what it's like "to live in the dark with fear and the threat of being deported."

The mother of four children who is now also a grandmother of four, said that when she first arrived in the country, she had the experience of working for a month, then not receiving her salary and instead her employer threatened to report her. In 1986, her life changed and she was able to become a United States citizen.

"Thanks to someone who fought for me and put their time and effort, I am a citizen now and I can help someone else," she said.

Victoria Gonzalez, 16, a member of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, attended the event with her brother and mother. Born in the United States, Gonzalez said that much of her extended family is in the country, including all of her uncles.

"I hope one day everyone can have the same rights [she enjoys as a citizen]," Gonzalez said. "I hope that one day, there will be no more fights or arguments."

Joseph Lee attended the event with about 40 members of his parish, St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Church, Los Angeles. The group walked the mile from their parish to La Placita.

A resident of the United States for 17 years and a citizen for the past 10, Lee said he attended the event to "show we are one family, one body under Christ.

"We support the charity of the church, Lee said. "We feel that this country stands for values that we all have. We look after the poor, we share the vision of this country for freedom and whoever wants freedom can come here. The most important thing is that Christ died for us because he loved us. And his most important commandment for us is to love each other, so we are here to support it."

During his final prayer, Bishop Solis said, "As one family, we have heard the stories, we have heard the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters who are members of our family." The bishop blessed the participants in the Dreams Across America Tour and prayed that Christ would guide their mission, "as it seeks to enact immigration reform laws that respect the human dignity and values of every person."

"May their stories touch the hearts of all Americans and may their words strengthen our recognition of the unity we share in the body of Christ," he said.

On June 12 Cardinal Roger Mahony welcomed Northern and Central California Dreamers to Los Angeles on the eve before the tour was to begin. He lauded immigrant workers who contribute to the success of the American Dream.

"The faces of our immigrant people and their families are a sign of hope. As we fulfill our dreams, they are among us to help us fulfill our dreams," said Cardinal Mahony at a press conference across the street from Union Station.

He expressed the hope that Dreams Across America will awaken the country's resolve to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

"Part of our effort is to help all of us get to know individually an immigrant family or individuals," he said of the tour and the interactive website www.dreamsacrossamericaonline.org. "That way we can discuss immigration reform through the eyes of real people, people just like us."

Ellie Hidalgo contributed to this story.