- svd-prms
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- / Migrant Community / Pastoral
Fr. General tells the Filipino migrant: “Before you became migrants, you were already pilgrims of hope.”
Kasmir Nema, SVD
The event, themed “Christmas of Hope: The Journey of Filipino-Italians in Rome,” served as 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).
A Message from the Superior General
The highlight of the gathering was an address by Fr. Anselmo Ricardo Ribeiro, SVD, Superior General. Speaking to a packed hall, Fr. Anselmo connected the universal Church’s Jubilee with the SVD’s milestone anniversary, weaving together the virtues of Hope, Joy, and Charity.
“My dear friends, this Jubilee Year is, for the Church and for us, a time of deep hope,” Fr. Anselmo began, drawing a parallel between the Filipino devotion to the Santo Niño and the biblical waiting for the Messiah. “The people waited, they expected, and they never lost hope. This is the meaning of hope: to wait with expectation, knowing that God is always walking alongside us.”
Fr. Anselmo emphasized that the SVD’s 150th anniversary brings the virtue of Joy into the fold. “Our joy is your joy,” he told the community, thanking them for their prayers. However, he reminded them that Hope and Joy must be completed by Love—loving God and His creation daily.
Acknowledging the unique identity of the attendees, some of whom have gathered at the Collegio for 40 years, Fr. Anselmo offered a profound reframing of the migrant experience:
“We are all pilgrims in this world… Before you became migrants, you were already pilgrims of hope, love, and joy. Thank you for your support, for your prayers, and for your presence and witness.”
Recollection: Authentic Pilgrims of Hope
Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD, served as one of the recollection speakers alongside Fr. Antonio Gilberto “Tops” Marqueses, SVD. In an interview, Fr. Jerome highlighted the historical bond between the SVD and Filipino migrants, noting that the Verbo Filipino Community was among the first to serve undocumented workers in Rome.
The recollection aimed to help participants “breathe again” and find freshness in the message of hope. The speakers used three powerful metaphors to illustrate how to be authentic pilgrims:
- Hope at the Bus Stop: The grace of waiting with faith.
- Hope in the Kitchen: Finding Christ in the ordinary messiness of daily chores.
- Hope on the Road: Recognizing that we never walk alone.
“Basically, Christ is with us,” Fr. Jerome concluded. “We can make a joyful journey and walk with faith.”
A Homily of Reconnection
Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Laoang Harle Piga, SVD, and concelebrated by six SVD priests. The homily was delivered by Fr. José Nicolás “Nico” Espinosa, SVD. For Fr. Nico, who served as the Spiritual Director for migrant families in Rome for 14 years, the event was a joyful reunion.
“I feel so happy and blessed by the Lord,” Fr. Nico shared. “It is a joy to see them again… Seeing the joy in their faces gives me joy as well.”
Reflecting on the Sunday of Joy (Gaudete Sunday), Fr. Nico offered three takeaways for the community to hold onto during Christmas:
- You are not alone: God and the community journey with you.
- Be patient: As St. James suggests, fruits will come, but patience is essential in a foreign land.
- Open your eyes to God’s action: Be alert to how God works through friends, family, and small daily blessings.
Voices from the Community
The event resonated deeply with the lay participants, who see the SVD missionaries as vital partners in their life abroad.
Anna Rose Elazequi Alviar, a member of the Santa Maria Goretti community, expressed how the SVD presence helps her raise her children in the faith while living in Rome.“No matter the problems we encounter abroad… the joy of having God in our lives provides hope,” Anna Rose said.
She expressed deep gratitude to the SVD priests, including Fr. Nico and Fr. Marlon, noting, “They brought us so much joy, love, and stronger faith.”
Bro. Elpidio Palengue, of the Santissimo Redentore community, echoed this sentiment. Living in Rome for many years, he described himself as a “migrant” who remains “Filipino in our faces and in our hearts.”
His main takeaway from the SVD’s 150th celebration was simple yet profound: “The importance of friendship and community.”
This spirit of unity was brought to life through the close collaboration of the participating communities—San Giovanni Evangelista, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Servants of Christ, Santissimo Redentore, Verbo Divino, and Santa Maria Goretti—whose collective efforts and shared spirituality made the event possible.
