Phillippines
News
Tuesday, June 25, at the "Promised Land" fraternity in the Philippines, we celebrated the blessing of the land and the start of construction on the new house, which will be used to welcome the next boys who come knocking on our door in this wonderful part of the world.
At 10 in the morning, we welcomed our Archbishop, Monsignor Socrates Villegas, along with friends and neighbors who have accompanied and helped us during these early years in this warm land. At 11, the ceremony began, during which, after the blessing, we buried a "time capsule" to remember this moment. It contained the house project, our photo, a photo of Mother Elvira with Brother Peter and Daiane, a photo of our consecrated brothers and sisters at the Pentecost retreat, and a rosary blessed by the Pope.
Following this, Monsignor Villegas symbolically laid the first shovel of cement in the house's foundation, followed by all of us, then by all the friends and neighbors present. Afterwards, we spent time together sharing a refreshment prepared by the boys in friendship and simplicity. It was beautiful and touching to see and feel how much the locals care for us. Once again, it was an opportunity to witness how Providence and God show us their love. Just the day before, two packages arrived from our brothers and sisters in the United States, containing exactly what we needed!
Above all, it was wonderful for us to witness this first step in realizing this great dream, which we hope one day will be a sign of hope for many people in the lands of Asia and Oceania. This first step is possible thanks to the work and sacrifice of many brothers before us, who rolled up their sleeves and held on during many difficult times, keeping hope alive even when its fulfillment was not yet in sight.
We feel in our hearts the desire to say a big thank you, first of all to Jesus and Mary, who have always guided and supported our journey and have shown us through many small signs that we are walking in God's will. A huge thank you goes to Monsignor Socrates for the paternal support and affection he has always shown us, and to the priests and nuns of the diocese, who accompany us and never let us lack spiritual providence. A special thanks to our dear friends and first supporters of our adventure in the Philippines: Jimmy, Irene, Francis, and Therese, who are always by our side at every moment. Our gratitude also goes to the local administrators, who have made themselves available and helped us with the legal formalities. Thanks also to the friends and locals who, through small and simple gestures every day, make us feel welcomed and loved. Thank you for everything, now and forever!
Promise Land (San Fabian, Pangasinan)
- 2018 -
In September, the first three missionaries left together with Father Adrian, a long-time missionary priest and friend of our Community, for the Philippines, where we opened our first mission in Asia! The missionaries were welcomed by Jimmy and Irene, a couple of faithful friends of our Community who live in Singapore; they were God's instrument in "bringing us" to the Philippines. In this new land everything is to be discovered, one step after another: this is also why only three guys initially went with Father Adrian. The Philippines’ Archbishop of the Diocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, H.E. Mgr. Socrates Villegas, met Father Adrian during the three months he spent in the Philippines to learn about their way of life, and invited him to open our fraternity in an area called San Fabian-Pangasinan, about three hours north of the capital Manila on the island of Luzon, promising his help and support. The diocese offered us land near the seminary of the diocese and a convent of Carmelite Sisters: that was the place we “pitched our tents” to begin the first steps of our journey. For now, our missionaries have been welcomed in three bamboo houses built near a chapel dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus. Let us pray that the Virgin Mary will bless and protect our new mission!