The Church in the Philippines is celebrating 500 years of Christianity this year with the theme “Gifted to Give.” To prepare for this milestone, the Philippine bishops embarked on a “nine-year of journey for the New Evangelization” which started in 2013 with the theme “Integral Faith Formation” through in 2021 with the theme Missio Ad Gentes,” or Mission to the Nation.”
Indeed, Filipinos received the gift of faith 500 years ago and are not only ready to share that faith, but also have been sharing that faith, to nations around the world . And now Philippine bishops are definitely claiming it! More than 12 million Filipino migrants and Overseas Filipino Workers practice faith openly and actively in their respective parishes. His Eminence Cardinal Luis Tagle, in Rome since 2019 as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, considers himself as an OFW. “Our overseas Filipino migrant workers,” he said, “have become the big missionary presence.” They are, indeed, “gifted to give.”
Indeed, they personify the theme of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. They have become new missionaries of faith in the “new evangelization.” And thus have been carrying out the ninth-year priority—missio ad gentes or mission to the nations.
The Philippine Statistics authority reports that in 2019 2.2 million OFW’s are serving in more than 190 countries. There are also more than 10 million Filipino immigrants around the world practicing their professions as teachers, engineers, medical doctors, nurses, engineers, caregivers, domestic helpers and others.
Thus, their sheer number alone can fill churches especially those parishes around the world with dwindling native Catholics. They also can enliven the parishes they attend, bringing their cultural heritage of faith with them. They sponsor and organize Filipino devotions such the Santo Niño, Flores de Mayo, or even chapels adorned with favorite statues of the Blessed Mother such as the Our Lady of Antipolo. They also serve as volunteer catechists, lectors, or altar servers. They form their own choir for Filipino Masses or for the general parishioners. Some serve on staff as catechists even program directors. And with a significant number of priests and religious, dioceses are sending their priests to serve in parishes around the globe.
Indeed, Filipinos, “gifted to give,” are the new missionaries in the new evangelization. They are carrying out Missio ad gentes, Mission to the nations.
