Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) – For over a decade, the Holy Ghost Fathers have been transmitting their testimony and charism in the Philippines. And the missions have progressed rapidly, thanks to their work, the collaboration of the youth, the enthusiasm of families, and the laity who all follow the charism of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. In the Philippines, the community now has an international flavor, with 11 religious from 4 different nationalities.
All are working as missionaries in the difficult area of Mindanao, an island in South Philippines, in which there is a Muslim minority and great challenges for dialogue and interreligious coexistence.
The mission began in 1997 in the Diocese of Iligan, and later extended to the Diocese of Pagadian, where great pastoral activity is taking place among the indigenous communities, the “lumads,” furthering their social-cultural development and preaching the Gospel to them.
From the south, the Spiritans moved toward the central part, reaching the Archdiocese of Cebu, continuing with their work of vocational promotion and adding on to their presence in the Philippines.
In Cebu, they began Youth Ministry, founding a youth center with many activities of prayer and action for the youth, who now feel more committed in the life of the Church.
Their next destination will be the Diocese of Maasin, where they have already begun establishing contacts and organizing things for opening a house there.
There are an ever greater number of missionary prospects for the Spiritans in these islands, as is evident in the opening of the novitiate in May of this year, in Pindugangan, suburb of Iligan City. This implies that the community is more and more integrated into the culture and society of the Philippines and that the Congregation will begin taking on a Filipino side, thanks to the youth who have already entered. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2008)
