PHILIPPINES

PHILIPPINES
VOCATIONAL AWAKENING

The Quebec Foreign Mission has been present in the Philippines since 1937. Currently, Pierre Samson, p.m.é., and Renato Tongo, p.m.é., are engaged in this country. Since 2018, in partnership with the local Church, the Quebec Foreign Mission has been mainly involved in a missionary animation and formation program. The presence among small Christian communities and development projects with indigenous peoples in mountainous regions also continues with the commitment of Pierre Samson, p.m.é.

DISCERNMENT

Under the responsibility of Renato Tongo, p.m.é., the Vocational Awakening Program in the Philippines (PÉVaP) reaches out to young people, including young professionals, to help them discern God’s call in their lives.

There are various ways to live one's faith and various possible missions. With PÉVaP, the members of the SMÉ team seize the opportunity to share their missionary experiences, whether as priests or laypeople, and through various activities, help to raise awareness of the beauty of being witnesses of Christ.

MISSIONARY MONTH, A HIGHLIGHT

In 2020, several Christian communities in the B'laan indigenous territory welcomed young seekers and SMÉ candidates experiencing the missionary month. Welcomed into families, the young people discovered a simple life of sharing and presence.

In October 2022, during the missionary month, the SMÉ team had a one-hour slot on a local radio station to explain this vocational awakening project and what missionary commitment entails.

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Mission, Where Life Calls

On February 11th, in Digos, in the southern Philippines, something simple yet deeply powerful took place. The gymnasium of San Isidro Labrador Parish was no longer just a place for sports or gatherings. For one day, it became a space of life. A space of care. A space of mission...

Missionary news from the Philippines

On this special month for the Mission with the Theme "Here am I, send me" (Is.6:8), the SME Philippines had a privilege to visit the community of Datalfitak Colonsabac Matanao again, this is a small Christian community, where Jonel Paquibot, a SME candidate, has had an immersion experience living with a local family.

Located in a B’laan territory, it’s a community totally different from Visayan culture. We have expressed our sincere gratitude to the families who have welcomed the candidates. On that day we celebrated the “World Mission Sunday” in a very simple way , being present with the people, journeying with them and having a special sharing with them after the celebration. We thank God for the blessing of having had the chance to visit the community even during this pandemic time.

After the celebration followed a small act of sharing and giving sweets to the the kids, some adults appreciated it also. In a little way we could offer something to share with them and it was a joyful event! The loving presence of everyone, the smiles, the value of time. As Pope Francis have said this Mission Sunday, let us learn to appreciate our missionary obligation and support the Church Missionary activities by leading transparent Christian lives by fervent prayers and by generous donations”. Jonel, Albert & Ging Garcia, together with Fr. Renato Togon, have distributed small gifts of sweets for the kids and adults as well!

The community received the SME group with an open heart and happy faces!

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