The Sisters of Pasay celebrated the 74th Anniversary of FSP Foundation in the Philippines on October 13, 2012 with the Eucharist presided by Fr. Restie dela Peña, SSP and concelebrated by Fr. Joe Aripio, SSP, Fr. Alan Gamutan, SSP, Fr. Tony Atole, SSP and Fr. Pete Barisoro, SSP.
In his homily, Fr. Restie pointed out that we are blessed by God for the gift of our consecration and Pauline mission. We were chosen from among the many to proclaim the Word. With the manifold blessings received, he challenged the Sisters to be always grateful, faithful and continue to be doers of the Word like Mary who did hear the Word of God and observe it.
The Sisters in their 80′s who have lived through the pains and the joys of the Congregation processed down the aisle at the beginning of Mass, some in their wheelchairs, walkers and canes.
A triduum of prayers and meditation preceded the celebration which animated the Sisters of the supreme faith of the Founders and their great heritage especially their spiritual and apostolic passion.
The occasion was graced by the presence of Sr. Atanasia Seganfreddo, an Italian, who was a missionary to the Philippines for 25 years. She was formator of the aspirants and novices, and was appointed superior, provincial councillor and vice-provincial superior. She was also formator of the new members of the Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation (IOLA). Then she was sent to another mission post – Kenya, Africa – and has been there for the past 22 years. She shared her missionary experience to the sisters in Pasay during the adoration on October 14, 2012, at the Sanctuary of the Queen of Apostles. Below is the full text of her sharing.
Dear Sisters,
Saint Paul wrote to the Colossians: “you must lead your whole lives according to the Christ you have received”.
I was assigned in Africa in the year 1990, that is, 22 years ago. My first impact with African people and culture was of a people very different from European or Asian or Filipino people. I have to enter into a new world, where I brought much of myself, as an Italian but also as a person who spent 25 years in this “Pearl of the Orient,” the Philippines. After some years in the work of formation with the Pre-Postulants and Postulants, one day some of these young sisters were talking among themselves and one of them was insisting that Sr. Atanasia is a Filipino. I was simply speaking too much about the Philippines!
The Pauline apostolate is well appreciated in Africa. For six years I also worked in the shipping department where books were sent out to more than 41 English speaking countries.
St. Paul wrote to the Colossians: ”You must be rooted in Him and built on Him and held firm by the faith you have been thought full of thanksgiving”.
The seed of faith sown by many missionaries, found the soil of Africa very fertile. The DNA of African people is religiosity. Before going to the office people go for Mass and listen attentively even to the homily of a second Mass! They are organized for perpetual adoration in many parishes and they are faithful to their schedule They believe in God and trust in Him for all their needs. The Church in Africa is very alive, fervent, active and growing very fast. There are many baptisms not only for children but also for adults. Vocations are plenty. “The Church of Christ is a sending Church,” and Africa is already a sending, missionary Church..
No Mass is celebrated without musical instruments. Drums, tambourines, kayamba and others instruments are played. People like to dance. During particular festivities celebrations would last even four to six hours. They use bright and colorful uniforms during liturgical processions. During Mass the whole assembly sings
“You must be rooted in Him and built in Him” says St.Paul.
Africa has thousands of tribes, beliefs, values, traditions. Many of these are still to be evangelized. Africa is changing. A new Africa is emerging. The Pope encourages Africa to stand on its own, to be courageous, to come forward. The problems in Africa are many: the biggest is the social gap between the rich and the poor. Many are living in poverty and misery.
What is the work of the FSP in Africa? As Primo Maestro says, it is important to put good apostolic and doctrinal foundations. So our work for these years is simply to try our very best to give the people the catechism, the Bible, liturgical books. We also produced books and audiovisuals on human and Christian formation. In Africa we are well accepted, invited, welcomed! Africa is an open field for the Pauline apostolate! Welcome to all of you!
In this Year of Faith, together with the Pope, with Africa, with the universal Church, in humility of heart, we pray for the grace: “to celebrate our faith; to offer our faith; to witness our faith; to rediscover the healing mercy of God; and to rediscover the joy of believing in God”!
It was a great joy to be with you all in Manila after 23 years, to see the great progress in all fields of society and as Daughters of St Paul, to see the new generation of FSPs!
More power to you all!
Sr. Atanasia Seganfreddo
Kenya, Africa