Embracing the Faith: Pope Francis Celebrates St. Lorenzo Ruiz with Spain’s Filipino Community
By Kielce Gussie
During a special gathering with members of Spain’s Filipino community, Pope Francis shared his delight at their visit to the Vatican. The Pope commended the community for choosing the word “Tahanan,” meaning “home,” as the title of their mission in Madrid, emphasizing the universal nature of the Church as a warm and welcoming home wherever believers go.
A Place of Welcome
With over 200,000 Filipino nationals in Spain, the community finds its home at the parish of Nuestra Señora del Espino in Madrid. Despite having a safe haven, Pope Francis acknowledged the challenges faced by migrants who encounter difficulties and misunderstandings in their search for a welcoming home.
Why Celebrate
The private audience commemorated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the personal parish of the Immaculate Conception and St. Lorenzo Ruiz in Barcelona. Pope Francis praised St. Lorenzo as a symbol of cultural integration, citing his Chinese-Filipino heritage and Spanish roots as catalysts for spreading faith in his era.
Despite facing injustice and having to leave his homeland due to false accusations, St. Lorenzo Ruiz’s life parallels the struggles of modern-day migrants seeking safety and prosperity. Pope Francis highlighted St. Lorenzo’s ultimate sacrifice of giving his life for his faith, urging the community to follow his example of selfless service to God and others.
The First Filipino Venerated in the Church
Born around 1600 near Manila, St. Lorenzo Ruiz served his local parish before fleeing to Japan to escape religious persecution. He was martyred for his faith, becoming the first Filipino beatified and later canonized by the Church. St. Lorenzo is now revered as the patron saint of Filipino youth, overseas workers, and altar servers.
As Pope Francis concluded his address to the Filipino community in Spain, he encouraged them to emulate St. Lorenzo’s dedication to faith and service, fostering a spirit of warmth and welcome in their own communities.
