Pope calls on Filipinos in Spain to build  'Tahanan' of faith and unity

Pope Francis encourges Filipinos in Spain to build a "Tahanan" of Faith and Unity, inspired by St. Lorenzo Ruiz.

The pope, in a heartfelt audience at the Vatican, warmly welcomed representatives of the Filipino community living in Spain.

He expressed deep gratitude for their vibrant witness to faith and culture, praising their commitment to fostering a spirit of unity and belonging in their adopted homeland.

The Pope underscored the profound meaning of the Filipino word “Tahanan,” chosen by the community in Madrid as their mission’s guiding theme. Translating to “home,” tahanan embodies the ideals of love, warmth, and family—values that resonate universally within the life of the Church and the Filipino diaspora.

“Wherever we go, the Church becomes our home—a place that is warm and welcoming,” the Pope shared, underscoring the universal Church's embrace.

For over 200,000 Filipinos in Spain, the Parish of Nuestra Señora del Espino (Our Lady of the Thorn) in Madrid serves as a spiritual refuge, a tahanan away from home.

However, Pope Francis also acknowledged the challenges faced by many migrants as they navigate life in foreign lands. Instead of finding a welcoming home, they often encounter barriers and misunderstandings, obstacles he likened to “thorns.”

He urged the Filipino community to be agents of unity, providing solace and understanding to those feeling displaced or isolated.

“Be a source of love and comfort, creating a home where others feel embraced and valued,” he encouraged.

The audience also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Parish of the Immaculate Conception and St. Lorenzo Ruiz in Barcelona. Pope Francis praised St. Lorenzo Ruiz as a powerful symbol of faith and cultural harmony.

Describing him as a “beautiful figure” of integration, the Pope highlighted St. Lorenzo’s unique heritage—born to a Filipino mother and Chinese father—and the blending of Asian traditions with Spanish Catholicism in his life. His story, the Pope noted, resonates deeply with the struggles and triumphs of modern migrants.

St. Lorenzo’s journey was not without suffering. Fleeing the Philippines after being falsely accused of a crime, he sought refuge in Japan, where he endured arrest and torture for his Christian faith. His martyrdom in 1637 remains a beacon of hope for those seeking strength in adversity.

“St. Lorenzo teaches us to live a life of service to God and others,” Pope Francis said, urging the Filipino community to emulate his example.

Born near Manila around 1600, St. Lorenzo Ruiz was a man of profound faith, serving as an altar server and calligrapher at his local parish. Despite enduring brutal persecution, he remained steadfast, sacrificing his life for his beliefs.

His beatification in 1981 by St. John Paul II in the Philippines—the first ever held outside the Vatican—and his canonization in 1987 as the first Filipino saint solidified his legacy as a patron of Filipino youth, overseas workers, and altar servers.

Pope Francis concluded with a heartfelt invitation: “Let us create tahanan wherever we go—a home of love, faith, and warmth. By serving others, as St. Lorenzo did, we can transform our communities into places of welcome for all.”