By Sr. Lawrence Consulta, PDDM

Sr. Lawrence is from Tinambac, Camarines Sur and comes from a family of nine children. She graduated from St. Paul’s College, Quezon City with an AB degree in Psychology. After her formation in Antipolo, she was sent by her congregation to Taipei. Here she shares with us something about the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master in Taipei.

The church of Taiwan is dominated by an aging clergy. Due to the fact that Catholics are a minority and the society is becoming more and more industrialized, vocations are scarce. Therefore, a young priests are few. Our response to this situation is Eucharistic, Priestly and Liturgical Apostolic. Particularly in the Archdiocese of Taipei at St. Joseph’s House, we assist priests in the exercise of their priestly ministry, in their sickness and old age, and even at their death bed. In Taiwan, we are composed of eight members: one Chinese and seven Filipinas.

At The Service of the Liturgy

In Taipei, we have a Liturgical Apostolate Center which facilities the distribution of our productions, various art forms linked to the liturgy: vessels, vestments, church furnishings. We do liturgical catechesis through this means. In the parish we also give liturgical animation and give catechism as a preparation for the reception of the sacraments.

Pastoral Care for Migrant Workers

The upsurge of migrant workers in Taiwan prompted us also to contribute our share to their pastoral care. In two parishes, Our lady of China and Corpus Christi we respond to their needs with an English Sunday liturgy and some worthwhile activities. We also give catechism and a little counseling.

It is fact that the need of the Church is so vast and what we can give is only like a ‘drop in the ocean’ and ‘a grain of sand on the sea shore’. However, we do what can to reach out to as many as possible through our prayer and activity.

May Jesus Master, the ‘reason for our being disciples”, help our effort to make Him known, loved and served in this land of the Chinese people.