Around 18 Filipino priests from the Diocese of Orlando gathered in a regional conference. The event took place in Aruba on Nov. 16-18. 

500th Anniversary of Christianity 

In a report with The Florida Catholic, the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of Orlando initiated the conference. The Catholic priests also gathered to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. 

Father Andrew Recepcion, one of the speakers during the event, spoke of the identity of the Filipino priest. He said that it was that of the diaspora. 

The Catholic priest added that the Philippines served as a receiving and sending church. 

He said that Filipino priests were a gift to the universal church. 

Fertile Ground for Clergy 

Father Recepcion also said that the Philippines was “fertile ground” for clergy and religious life. He also commended the religiosity of Filipino families. 

The priest pointed out that the Philippines ranked second to India in the number of priests working outside their country. 

He also cited the words of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The cardinal said that around 800 Filipino priests serve in the United States. 

Tagle added that most of these priests had their seminary formation in the Philippines. 

Challenges of Priestly Life 

Father Ricky Manalo said that the Filipino presence was prevalent in American society. Father Manalo is a Pastoral Musician of the Year Awardee. He spoke of the challenges and achievements Filipino priests encounter in their parishes. 

Father Antonio de Castro noted that the growth of the Catholic faith in the Philippines began with the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan on March 16, 1521. Father de Castro is a Filipino church historian. 

He said that systematic evangelization did not occur because local chieftain Lapu-Lapu killed Magellan in combat. 

The Catholic priest said that the Spanish returned to the island in 1565. This time, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi led the expedition. He brought with him Augustinian and Dominican missionaries. 

He told the attendees that Spanish colonization and Christian evangelization took place. The priest also described how the early Filipinos reacted to those incursions. 

Praise for Filipino Faith

Pope Francis addressed the Filipinos in their 500th year of Christianity. He commended them for their patience and their ability to look forward in the face of adversity. 

He also shared the three mysteries of the Catholic faith. These were Nazareth, the Cross, and Pentecost. 

The pope pointed out that these three mysteries were part of their deepest Christian roots as a people. 

He cited the mystery of Nazareth, where Mary and Joseph raised the Child Jesus to grow in faith and love. Pope Francis said the Filipino people exemplified the mystery of Nazareth through their love of family. He encouraged them to keep helping one another. 

The pope said that he admired how the Filipinos faced difficulties. He added that he saw how they bore their crosses in the face of adversity. Pope Francis thanked them for their courage. 

He also commended the devotion of the Filipinos to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Like the mystery of Pentecost, he said that Mary would always be there to guide and intercede for them. 
 

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