The First Sunday of Lent, 29 February, is National Migrants’ Sunday. In a pastoral letter for that same day last year, Bishop Vicente M. Navarra of Bacolod wrote that according to surveys there are 7.41 million Filipinos in 193 countries overseas. Nine million Filipino children have at least one parent working abroad.

Pope John Paul, on December 2002, celebrated Mass with some of the 23,000 Filipinos in Rome. ‘The fact that you are immigrants makes you more lovable in the eyes of Jesus,’ the Pope said in his homily, in which he focused on the difficulties of immigration. ‘With great affection I greet you and, through you, the many thousands of Filipino men and women living in Rome and in other cities throughout Italy. The Church’s concern for the Filipino faithful can also be seen in thirty-nine pastoral centers located throughout the city where you can foster your own noble Christian traditions and give them new life, thanks to the liturgical and apostolic services offered there.

‘Hold fast to the rich cultural and religious heritage that is an integral part of your identity,’ he continued. ‘Many of you have had the chance to find employment here in Italy and have attained a standard of living that enables you to help your family members at home. For others, however- and I hope that they are few- your status as immigrants has brought you serious problems, including loneliness, the separation of families, the loss of the values handed down from the past and at times even the loss of your faith.

‘I would like to renew to all of you, and in particular to the many women present here, the words of encouragement which we heard in today’s Liturgy: Do not lose heart! We must not grow weak in faith, for the Lord is near…the witness of an authentically Christian life will keep you unite among yourselves and will continue to win you the respect and help other. I ask those who employ you to welcome you and love you as cherished brothers and sisters in Christ. All of us must work together to built the civilization of love.