The Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP) celebrated 25 years of its presence in the Philippines last January 28 with a momentous Eucharistic celebration held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao.
The solemn occasion was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary-General of the Synods of Bishop and graced by the presence of His Excellency Charles Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, together with Fr Mark Grima, the Superior General of MSSP and Fr John Taliana, Superior of MSSP Australia.
Also present were the MSSP Missionaries in the Philippines headed by Fr Hector Attard, the Regional Superior. There were also some priests and deacons who are friends of MSSP in the Philippines who partook in the celebration.
The Mass was animated with songs by the Jose de Piro Jose Depiro Kabataan Orkestra. Around 200 friends and benefactors were present to celebrate the 25 years of mission and community of the MSSP.
During his homily, Cardinal Grech recalled how it was in January 1999 that the first member of the Society, Fr Lonnie Borg, arrived in the Philippines with the aim to establish a new mission.
“This is, for us assembled here, a wonderful occasion to give thanks to the Lord,” said Cardinal Grech.
“The purpose of the Society is the evangelisation and the implanting of the Church in missionary lands. You have not been called to live a contemplative life, but to go out, to move out,” he continued.
He made reference to the many memories and graces received in the last 25 years of the mission, and how many lives have been changed along the way.
Throughout of this, said the cardinal, “He was with you”.
“In De Piro’s words: ‘Those who do not believe think that everything happens by chance, but to us who have faith we quickly perceive the hand of God.’ And God not only called you to go out, but he came out with you: he was with you during this going-out.”
Speaking on the occasion, MSSP Superior General Fr Mark Grima spoke of the MSSP’s formation program established in the Philippines, which he says has flourished, providing solid academic and spiritual grounding to participants.
“A decade has passed since the ordination of our first seminarians − a significant milestone,” he said.
“Today, our formation houses welcome local seminarians and those from Vietnam, together with others coming from other MSSP regions. It brings immense joy to witness the growth of a community of lay people, actively participating in our charism. This collaboration not only enriches the Philippine region but the entire spirit of our Missionary Society.”
Lara Zammit – tbissima.mt