Rome’s Filipino Diaspora Celebrates a “Christmas of Hope” amidst SVD Jubilee

In the heart of the Eternal City, more than 100 Filipino migrants gathered at the Collegio del Verbo Divino on December 14, 2025, finding a spiritual "home away from home" to celebrate the Advent season.

The event, themed “Christmas of Hope: The Journey of Filipino-Italians in Rome,” served as a dual celebration: a spiritual preparation for the upcoming Christmas and a commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).

Organized under the guidance of SVD missionaries, the gathering brought together six major Filipino communities in Rome: San Giovanni Evangelista, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Servants of Christ, Santissimo Redentore, Verbo Divino, and Santa Maria Goretti.

Authentic Pilgrims of Hope 

The day began with a recollection guided by Fr. Jerome A. Marquez, SVD, and Fr. Antonio Gilberto "Tops" Marqueses, SVD. They invited the participants to reflect on how to remain "authentic pilgrims of hope" while living abroad.

In an interview, Fr. Jerome emphasized the historical bond between the missionaries and the diaspora. "Our own center, the Verbo Filipino Community, was one of the first to serve Filipinos in Rome, even when many were still undocumented," he recalled.

To make the theology of hope relatable to the migrant experience, Fr. Jerome and Fr. Tops presented three powerful images during the session:

• Hope at the Bus Stop: the virtue of waiting with faith and expectation. 

• Hope in the Kitchen: Finding Christ in the "messiness" and imperfect nature of daily life. 

• Hope on the Road: Recognizing that Christ walks alongside every migrant on their journey.

"Basically, Christ is with us, and we can make a joyful journey and walk with faith," Fr. Jerome said, expressing the desire to "breathe again" and bring freshness to the community’s spiritual life.

“You Are Not Alone” 

The recollection culminated in a Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Laoang Harle Piga, SVD, and concelebrated by six SVD priests. The homily was delivered by Fr. José Nicolás "Nico" Espinosa, SVD, who previously served as chaplain to Rome's migrant families for 14 years.

Visibly moved by his reunion with the community, Fr. Nico described the gathering as a "Sunday of Joy." His homily offered three pillars for maintaining hope amidst the challenges of overseas work:

1. Solidarity: "You are not alone. God, the community, and others are with us on this journey."

2. Patience: Citing the Apostle James, he reminded the workers that while they may want immediate results, "the fruits of your work will arrive, but patience is essential."

3. Awareness: He urged the faithful to open their eyes to God’s action, which often manifests through friends, family, and small daily blessings.

"It is a joy to see them again... seeing the joy in their faces gives me joy as well," Fr. Nico shared after the Mass.

Voices from the Pews 

For the participants, the event was a reaffirmation of identity and faith. Bro. Elpidio Palengue of the Santissimo Redentore community noted that despite years of living in Italy, the connection to their roots remains unshakable.

"I always consider myself a migrant," Palengue said. "Even though we are here, we remain Filipino in our faces and in our hearts." He credited the SVD missionaries for keeping their faith fervent, emphasizing that the core of their life abroad is "friendship and community."

Anna Rose Elazequi Alviar, a mother and active member of the Santa Maria Goretti community, echoed this sentiment. Having arrived in Italy in 2006, she emphasized how vital the church community is for raising children in a foreign land.

"When we came to Italy, we looked for a Filipino community so we could continue to serve," she said. Reflecting on the day’s theme, she offered a message to her fellow Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), "No matter the problems we encounter abroad... the joy of having God in our lives provides hope. That hope and faith strengthen us every day."

The gathering concluded with a festive lunch and party, cementing the bonds of a community that, guided by the SVD missionaries, continues to walk together as pilgrims of hope.