Paulines evaluate congregation’s missionary presence in Asia

AROUND 36 major superiors, councilors and translators of the Daughters of St. Paul in Asia and Oceania have gathered for a 10-day continental meeting to discuss the congregation’s missionary presence in Asia and Oceania.

Themed “Where the Lord is Leading Us”, the continental meeting which began on September 10 and ends on September 20, aimed to revitalize the Pauline religious life in all its various aspects as well as to see some possible geographical reorganization.

The congregation’s Mother General, Sr. Antonieta Bruscato said the various dimensions of Pauline life that will be looked into and discussed during the meeting will include spirituality, pastoral work for vocations, formation, mission, sharing of charism with the laity and economy.

Sr. Bruscato, together with her Council, preside the ongoing assembly, which have delegates coming from Rome, Philippines, Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, India, Pakistan, Hongkong/Macau, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The delegates presented a report on the situation of their countries in its socio-cultural and ecclesial context providing others a grasp of the reality of Asia and Australia today.

Resource speakers include Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle who gave a talk on the socio-economic, political and ecclesial situation of Asia and Oceania, and Dr. Maurice Teo and Fr. Joni Astanto, MSC, who spoke on the situation in China and Indonesia, respectively.

“During these days, we will consider the possibility of our presence in China, and also to consolidate our presence in Indonesia,” Sr. Bruscato said.

The congregation has yet to establish foundations in China and Indonesia, but already have vocations coming from those countries.

The lack of vocations, a reality that has impacted consecrated life, leads many congregations to redesign their presences. In Europe, where there are many older congregations, majority of these institutes have started to re-dimension their existence to become more responsive to the needs of the times.

For their part, the Daughters of St.Paul have embarked on a worldwide project of redesigning process of the institute in all the five continents where the congregation is present.

“The process of redesigning is not a process of death but a process of new life,” said the FSP Mother General.

“In this redesigning process, we allow God to redesign what is personal, in the community and the apostolate,” she said.

Meanwhile, FSP Philippines provincial Sr. Yolanda Dionisio said she is happy to have the assembly held in the country since it provided an opportunity to share with the delegates "the richness [of] culture and faith of the Filipino people.”

“Our sisters [abroad] will understand better our reality, and our way of doing mission in the Philippines,” she said.

The continental assembly is being held at the Alberione Home of the Daughters of St. Paul in Pasay City.

The meeting opened with a Eucharistic celebration on September 9 presided by Fr. Ruben Areno, SSP, provincial of the Society of St. Paul.

Founded in 1915 by Blessed James Alberione, the Pauline congregation, which carries the work of evangelization through the means of social communication, is spread in more than 50 countries throughout the world.