The annual "Misyong Pilipino" Catholic retreat for Filipino workers is held in Abu Dhabi from September 25 to October 6 at various parishes.
Misyong Pilipino is an annual event that seeks to strengthen and deepen the faith of Filipino Catholic Christians.
"This retreat provides everyone with a godly and meaningful life, as a protection and weapon for all overseas Filipinos who always face the challenges of being Filipino workers anywhere on the globe,” said Brother Rommel Pangilinan, a lay servant, Social Media and Technical Director of Katolikong Pinoy and Media Ministry team member of St. Joseph's Cathedral Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Since its founding in 2008, Misyong Pilipino has been a vital channel for spiritual development and renewal, he said.
The event featured a diversity of topics and lectures delivered by clergy from the Philippines who shared the gospel with the participants.
This year's retreat instructor was Father Hans Magdurulang, parochial vicar of Quiapo Church, Manila Archdiocese.
Misyong Pilipino is scheduled to occur in numerous Abu Dhabi parishes every October, in conjunction with the celebration of Mission Sunday.
This year, the celebration began on September 25 at St. Paul's Church in Mussafah, proceeded from September 29 to October 1 at St. John the Baptist in Ruwais, and will culminate from October 3 to 6 at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Abu Dhabi.
All Filipino Catholics living in Abu Dhabi and other nearby Middle Eastern countries are welcome to participate in the event.
Pangilinan said, “The Misyong Pilipino is well attended by great numbers of our kababayans here in Abu Dhabi, and the estimated crowd is more or less 2,000 faithful per day.”
He also shared that the event could be viewed live on the social media platforms of Katolikong Pinoy sa Abu Dhabi.
“Misyong Pilipino is a life-changing experience for individuals, families, and the Christian community as a whole," Pangilinan mentioned.
He said, “After attending this annual retreat, my faith is getting stronger, and I have become a better person with a purpose-driven life. Most of all, be a better Christian. As an organizer of this event, I felt that this was my mission and participation to help my fellow Catholics deepen their faith in God.”
Brother Rommel Pangilinan has spent sixteen years as an analyst for an Abu Dhabi environmental agency.
His work in a predominantly Muslim country has been attributed to a mission to bring his fellow Catholics closer to the Lord due to his strong Catholic faith.
He stated, "If you believe that the challenges, work-related struggles, and family issues you’re facing are becoming overwhelming, or if you simply want to express gratitude to God for the blessings you’ve received as a worker in Abu Dhabi,"
He said, "I invite you to join Misyong Pilipino 2023, a life-changing experience, and feel the presence of God even if you are in this part of the world.”- Leahna Villajos
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
