Hello everyone, my name is Erasto Fernando Torres Carpio, a Xaverian priest, and I had been living in the Philippines for some years. In October, as missionaries, we have the chance to share our experiences about our missions because this month is a missionary month. It helps us to share our missionary awareness with others. That is why, whenever it comes to the missionary month, some of the confreres from Mexico requested me to share a short video about my experience in the country where I am serving.
In this way, while studying in the Philippines, I had the chance to have some significant experiences. It is interesting for people, from other countries, who hear about them; they are happy because they may share similar experiences with others. During these years of stay in the Filipino culture, we have been working with people on a communitarian and individual level, especially with the youth in some areas of our parish, Saint Francis Xavier. Some of the main works we have on a communitarian and individual level are activities with the youth, interreligious dialogue, and a journey with God. I would like to describe in general how the work is done by presenting some opportunities and challenges in these activities.
One of the activities we carry out with the children and the youth is spiritual and human formation based on recreational activities that may be attractive to them. In addition to their training, we have moments of games and choir practice have given that Filipino people have a great passion for singing. Most of the time, we gather on Saturdays and Sundays to practice since most of the youth have classes during weekdays. Children and young people are given training on Christian values. Every activity begins by letting God's word guide us and giving a brief comment or reflection. After this, a video is projected to deepen, and then children and young people share what they have learned and comment on how they apply it in their daily lives. One of the opportunities in working with children and young people is to continue promoting Christian values, always guiding them to work as a community and as a team. One of the challenges in the Philippine context is the "barkadas" or groups of close friends who sometimes do not accept working with people who are not part of their group.
At the same time, interreligious dialogue has been promoted with young people and adults. One of the opportunities is to foster unity and respect towards people who do not profess our faith. However, adults are usually the most interested in participating in interreligious dialogue, and young people constitute a minority. One of the activities with adults is the "journey with God". After being spiritually prepared, people are sent to serve and speak of Christ. They are sent two by two just as the 72 disciples were sent. The opportunity in this apostolate is to visit the sick, talk with them, and listen to them. One of the challenges for a missionary is the Tagalog language because some people do not speak English.
Invitation
I would invite you to continue to be witnesses of Christ in the world through active participation in the church in missionary groups and share with others the joy you have received from Christ. Many things can distract us, but we must opt for Christ as Saint Paul says: "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable." In other words, nothing in this world can surpass Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. We are called to be missionaries in our possibilities and environments in which we move, homes, schools, etc.
To conclude, I would like to let you know that I am now passing by in the Philippines, waiting for my visa to go to Thailand where I am sent on the mission. Let us make the world a single family. Let us share with others the gift of faith we have received from our families, schools, and some groups of friends.
