EUROPE/ITALY - “Hiraya,” the “certain hope” for the mission of Filipino Catholics in Rome

Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The contribution of Filipino priests, religious, and lay people to the Jubilee of Hope can be summed up in a single Tagalog word: "Hiraya". It expresses hope that has been imagined, experienced, and witnessed. The term "Hiraya" comes from an ancient Tagalog word derived from the expression "hiraya ng isip," meaning "that which the mind creates." Originally, "hiraya" referred to images or concepts that had not yet been realized and arose from within. Over time, its meaning has expanded beyond mere imagination, and in contemporary Filipino culture, "Hiraya" has taken on a deeper significance: longing and a vision of the future, sustained by faith, a kind of "certain hope."
The word “Hiraya” also inspired a book of 25 selected texts reflecting the experiences of the Jubilee Year. These texts were written by young priests, members of religious orders, and Filipino citizens living in Italy, including students and pastoral workers in Rome, a consecrated lay woman, and a special contribution from the chaplain of the Sentro Pilipino chaplaincy in Rome.
Father Andrew Giménez Recepción, professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University and editor of the anthology, published by Logos Publications (Manila), explains: “These reflections illuminate the mystery of Christ’s call in the sometimes daunting challenges of life, which become channels of God’s boundless grace.” “The kaleidoscope of experiences and perspectives captured in these reflections,” he continues, “reveals the lives and work of priests, religious, and nuns in Italy. Some study at pontifical and ecclesiastical universities; others work in the Vatican or in the leadership of religious communities. This diversity testifies to the richness of God’s work in the Church and the many ways in which the Holy Spirit calls people to service. This collection of selected texts is a testament to the fruitfulness of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who dedicate themselves completely to Jesus Christ and the Church.”
The contributions reveal a rich mosaic of experiences, shaped by the daily fidelity of people who, through their lives, express the “cycle of mission” and thus illustrate the special contribution of Filipino priests, religious, and lay people to the fabric of the Church in Italy. The Filipino Catholic community in Rome, in particular, is one of the largest and best-organized in the world, with over 40,000 members, and is deeply integrated into the pastoral life of Rome. Among its most important landmarks are the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana (with the Sentro Pilipino), the Church of Sant'Alfonso (Redemptorists), and the Garbatella community (Filipino priests), which offers services in Tagalog and social activities. Since the first immigrants arrived in the 1970s, the Filipino community in Rome has drawn upon its deeply rooted religious traditions. The first Filipino immigrants settled near parishes, and the need for priests and religious to provide pastoral care quickly arose.
As the community gradually established itself in the region, the Filipino People's University in Rome was founded in 2006 to promote Filipino culture, traditions, and cultural identity. In 2025, the 40th anniversary of the Filipino community was celebrated in the Church of Sant'Alfonso, run by the Redemptorist Fathers: "It is not only a historical commemoration, but a celebration of life, resilience, and the enduring strength of the community united in Christ," said the Philippine Redemptorists. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 14/2/2025)

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