Philippines, 13 August 2021 -- The year 2021 marks the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines, a nation that has been “Gifted to Give.”

This same year also recalls the 70th anniversary of the Salesians in the country. On this blessed year, the Salesian Provinces in the Philippines (both FIN and FIS provinces) are united with the Church in praising and thanking God for the gift of faith and charism.

A concrete way of saying THANK YOU to God for being gifted, they are giving four confreres to the missions ad gentes, ad exteros, ad vitam for the coming 152 Salesian Missionary Expedition. The Rector Major is sending them to:

From the Philippines North Province (FIN):

1. Fr. Jose Armando Cortez, SDB is destined to Argentina (ARS)

2. Fr. Philip Lazatin, SDB is destined to Kenya (AFE)

From the Philippines South Province (FIS):

3. Fr. Eugene Maglasang, SDB is destined to Kuching, Malaysia (FIN)

4. Fr. Arnel Jason Mengote, SDB is destined to Mozambique (MOZ)

In his letter to the Philippine Provinces on the 500 years of Christianity, Fr. Alfred Maravilla SDB, himself a missionary to Papua New Guinea and the congregation’s General Councilor for Missions, underlined that “[in the Philippine] bishops’ pastoral letter "Becoming Jesus’ Missionary Disciples" our bishops prayed that this celebration ‘enflame the hearts of all of us today to engage in mission here at home and in other countries (missio ad gentes)’ and bring about a ‘missionary renewal’ in the Philippine Church … Grateful for having been gifted, let us give with missionary enthusiasm and joy!”

Let us accompany our Salesian-missionaries in prayer.