ROME (RVA News): More than a hundred Filipino migrants gathered at the Collegio del Verbo Divino in Rome, Italy, on December 14 to celebrate Advent and find a home away from home. Themed, “Christmas of Hope: The Journey of Filipino-Italians in Rome,” the event was a dual celebration: a spiritual preparation for the upcoming Christmas and a commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word [SVD].
Organised under the guidance of SVD missionaries, the gathering brought together six major Filipino communities in Rome: San Giovanni Evangelista, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Servants of Christ, Santissimo Redentore, Verbo Divino, and Santa Maria Goretti.
The day began with a recollection guided by Father Jerome Marquez, and Father Antonio Gilberto ‘Tops’ Marqueses. They invited the participants to reflect on how to remain ‘authentic pilgrims of hope’ while living abroad.
Basically, Christ is with us, and we can make a joyful journey and walk with faith
Father Marquez
Father Marquez and Father Marqueses presented three powerful images during the session: Hope at the Bus Stop: the virtue of waiting with faith and expectation; Hope in the Kitchen: Finding Christ in the ‘messiness’ and imperfect nature of daily life; Hope on the Road: Recognizing that Christ walks alongside every migrant on their journey.
“Basically, Christ is with us, and we can make a joyful journey and walk with faith,” Father Marquez said, expressing the desire to “breathe again” and “bring freshness to the community’s spiritual life.”
The recollection culminated in a Mass presided over by Father Laoang Harle Piga and concelebrated by six SVD priests. The homily was delivered by Father José Nicolás ‘Nico’ Espinosa, who previously served as chaplain to Rome’s migrant families for 14 years.
For the participants, the event was a reaffirmation of identity and faith. Brother Elpidio Palengue of the Santissimo Redentore community noted that despite years of living in Italy, the connection to their roots remains unshakable. “I always consider myself a migrant,” Palengue said. “Even though we are here, we remain Filipino in our faces and in our hearts.” He credited the SVD missionaries for keeping their faith fervent, emphasising that the core of their life abroad is “friendship and community.”
Even though we are here, we remain Filipino in our faces and in our hearts
Brother Elpidio Palengue
Anna Rose Elazequi Alviar, a mother and active member of the Santa Maria Goretti community, echoed this sentiment. Having arrived in Italy in 2006, she emphasized how vital the church community is for raising children in a foreign land.
“When we came to Italy, we looked for a Filipino community so we could continue to serve,” she said. Reflecting on the day’s theme, she offered a message to her fellow Overseas Filipino Workers, “No matter the problems we encounter abroad… the joy of having God in our lives provides hope. That hope and faith strengthen us every day.”
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
The gathering concluded with a festive lunch and party, cementing the bonds of a community that, guided by the SVD missionaries, continues to walk together as pilgrims of hope.
