Philippine Bishops’ Head Leads Padre Pio Healing Mission for Filipino Migrants in Hong Kong

Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong received spiritual support through a series of healing Masses and liturgies held at Catholic churches across the city and at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Filipinos from November 5 to 9.

The five-day mission, led by Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), brought devotion to St. Padre Pio to Filipino Catholic communities in the territory, CBCP News reported.

Archbishop Garcera led a 78-member delegation from the International Shrine of St. Padre Pio in the Philippines, including 21 priests from the Archdiocese of Lipa and the CBCP General Secretariat, as well as members of the Confraternity of St. Padre Pio.

The delegation celebrated Masses and healing liturgies in Kowloon, Central, North Point and the New Territories.

During a November 7 Mass at St. Alfred’s Church in the New Territories, Archbishop Garcera acknowledged the sacrifices of Filipinos who leave their families and homeland to provide better opportunities for their loved ones.

He described their separation from family as an expression of love and encouraged them to draw strength from their faith while facing the difficulties of working abroad.

Devotees participated in individual anointing with holy oil and venerated the sacred relics of St. Padre Pio, the Italian Capuchin priest known for his ministry of prayer and healing.

At the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Filipinos on November 6, Archbishop Garcera reminded migrant workers that the greatest blessing was not simply receiving what they asked for in prayer but developing a closer relationship with Jesus.

He encouraged them to trust God through their struggles and become instruments of love in their communities.

At the mission's concluding Mass on November 8 at Holy Family Parish in Kowloon, the CBCP president emphasized that devotion to saints must lead to a deeper Christian life rather than remain limited to religious objects and external practices.

“It is not enough to carry a rosary or wear a religious medal,” he said. “Our devotion to St. Padre Pio must lead us to a deeper relationship with Jesus and inspire us to become better Christians.”

The mission sought to bring the Italian saint's message of prayer and hope to Filipino Catholics living overseas, particularly those experiencing family separation, work-related difficulties and the challenges of life far from home.