Crowds gather at the border of Arizona and Mexico to bow their heads in prayer. Some of the attendees are famalies seprated by the US Arizona border, but on this day, they they listen to a special sermon together. Divided by a fence, a few steps away from each other, they celebrate a rare mass together. 

Organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic leaders held a bilingual mass Tuesday in memory of the immigrants that have died trying to cross the border to see their families, bring them money or start a new life. Since 1998 close to 6,000 migrants have died crossing the vast hot desert.

300 people attended the mass at the border fence in Nogales, Ariz. Not only was it an opportunity to unite with their families, but it was a chance to hear from Catholic leaders across the United States, including Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston and bishops from the West and Southwest. 

Though the mass was a symbol of faith, worship and family, the real purpose was far more serious. It was a message to congress. Fix immigration already and allow these famalies to pray together without a fence dividing them.

The push for immigration reform has been at a stand still with Democrats and Republicans unable to come to an agreement.

Read at USA Today: Obama 'Humane' Order Roils Immigration Debate

The past few years the Catholic church has been standing up against the plight of immigrants but at the border mass, offering communion to the Mexican side through a steel barrier fence, was one of it's biggest statements.

"Families are separated, migrate workers are exploited and tragically human beings are dying on both sides of this wall. the suffering and death must end," preached Cardinal Sean O'Malley. "This is not just a political problem, this is a moral problem."

The mass came a few days after President Obama discussed immigrant at a meeting with Pope Francis. 

Read more at the LA Times.

Reach Executive Producer Michelle Bergmann here.