Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
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by Luigi Galvani*
Kupang (Agenzia Fides) - From January 18 to 24, 2026, a meeting of Italian Camillian Missionaries serving in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia took place in Lotung, Taiwan. It was a significant gathering attended by seven missionaries, who together bring an extraordinary legacy of 399 years of missionary work.
The theme of the meeting, “Charism and Mission,” was moderated by Father Amelio Troietto, a doctor and missionary in the Philippines. The focus was on a profound reinterpretation of the missionary experience in light of the charism of Saint Camillus de Lellis, highlighting how faithfulness in service to the sick and the poor continues to generate works, vocations, and hope.
The Camillians' presence in Asia began in China in 1946. After their expulsion in 1952, this initial missionary experience in the region was transformed with renewed vigor, leading the Order to expand its presence to ten Asian countries. Throughout this journey, special attention has always been paid to the formation of future missionaries, not only for local churches but also for service in other countries around the world.
The meeting in Lotung provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences, learn more about ongoing activities, and strengthen the fellowship among missionaries working in different contexts but united by the same charism.
In Taiwan, where the Camillians have been present for 74 years, the order's institutions bear witness to a long and fruitful commitment to healthcare: two hospitals—St. Mary's Hospital in Lotung with approximately 700 beds and St. Camillus Hospital in Makung, currently undergoing renovation and with over 150 beds—a center for people with disabilities accommodating 230 guests, a nursing home with 110 beds, a nursing school with over 1,000 students, and a cultural dance center. In pastoral care, the Camillians are responsible for 12 small parishes, five of which are located in mountainous regions where the population lives in extreme isolation.
In the Philippines, where the Camillians have been present for 51 years, three small hospitals, three outpatient clinics, and a nursing home have been built. The missionaries also provide pastoral care in three parishes and serve as chaplains in several large hospitals in Manila and Davao City, bringing evangelical consolation to hundreds of those who suffer.
In Indonesia, where the Camillians have been present for 16 years, educational work remains the primary focus, with approximately one hundred young people being guided on their vocations in four seminaries. In addition to this fundamental ministry, two social centers have been opened, one on the island of Flores and another, more recently, on the island of Timor, to provide shelter and educational opportunities for young people from other islands, who are often in dire need.
The meeting in Lotung demonstrated how long-standing experience becomes an asset to the mission. These missionaries, now men with considerable experience, testified that with goodwill, trust in Providence, and the support of many generous friends, it is still possible to achieve true "miracles of good" for the Gospel, for the Church, and for the Order of Saint Camillus. A remembrance marked by active gratitude, which nourishes the present and enables further future works of charity by the Camillian Mission in Asia. (Agenzia Fides, 4/2/2026)
* Father Luigi Galvani (MI), after 30 years of missionary work in the Philippines, pioneered the Camillian mission on the island of Flores, where he lived and worked for 16 years. Since November 2025, he has been residing at the new St. Camillus Social Center in Kupang on the island of Timor.
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