Last January, a group of twelve people, accompanied by Fr Jude Pirotta mssp and Fr Mario Zammit mssp, spent two weeks in a Mission Immersion Experience together with our brother Paulist Missionaries in the Philippines. Here the Missionary Society of St Paul has the pastoral care of St Catherine of Alexandria Parish, in Dinalupihan, Bataan, the chaplaincy at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila, participates in work in favour of New Evangelisation, assists various Church groups, helps those who are materially poor and runs its International House of Formation, where future Paulist Missionaries are prepared. The first Mission Immersion Experience to the Philippines took place in January 2013, with other experiences in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024. Following are brief reflections by each of the participants.
At each place we visited, we were welcomed with genuine warmth, smiles, and excitement. The communities we met lived out the Gospel value of “giving thanks with a grateful heart” in their daily lives. Although I had heard about this immersion from a friend, nothing could have prepared me for the depth of what we witnessed.
As the youngest member of our group, I felt incredibly supported, and I am deeply grateful for the care shown to me throughout the experience. What surprised me most was how profoundly I was changed. The sincerity, joy, and generosity of the Filipino communities—despite having so little—revealed a powerful witness to faith and gratitude, as was reflected in our group discussions “poor in money and things but rich in spirit.” The people’s eagerness to welcome us, share a meal, and offer what they had showed a level of generosity that was both humbling and inspiring.
Trying to explain the experience to others never seems to do it justice. When I shared parts of the trip with my students, one commented, “It really makes you grateful for what we have,” which beautifully captured the heart of the immersion. I return home humbled and transformed.
Amanda
Participants of the Mission Immersion Experience January 2026
I have been sending boxes full of clothing, food, educational supplies and toys to the Philippines for over twenty years. After going on the Mission Immersion trip in 2024, my son encouraged me to join the Mission 2026 group. This was the first time I visited another country without my family, and I was the only participant from St Bernadettes Parish, North Sunshine. This experience gave me an opportunity to make new friends from other parishes, and after this trip we now feel like family.
When we arrived at MSSP International House of Formation in Manila and at the Formation Centre in Bataan, we were welcomed with so much gratitude and appreciation. Everybody was saying “this is Mary who sends us the boxes from Australia”.
One of my favourite experiences was our visit to the Aetas community in Batiawan. When we visited the school at first the children were very shy. Once we started to joke and play with them, they became very friendly and we had a lot of fun. We also prepared and gave meals to the people from the Aetas community. They were very grateful and I could tell that they were very hungry. During our stay in Bataan I enjoyed talking to Fr Joe in the evenings. I am full of admiration at how much he has achieved in his parish and how much he cares for the people. In the evenings we also used to go and listen to the youth practising their music, which was very beautiful.
What I remember the most about the people in all the centres we visited is how happy and joyful they all are. Even the disabled and abandoned were happy in their new families where they are well looked after, and they proudly showed us their rooms and how they lived. The experience will help me to continue to help the missions.
Mary
A group of young adults assisted by Paulist Missionaries in their studies.
My two weeks on mission in the Philippines took me beyond what was familiar. Staying with the group was new and at times uncomfortable, but it soon became a space of shared growth and support that I grew to enjoy. I was deeply moved by the resilience of the Filipino people who, despite the challenges of life, radiated joy and strength across the communities we visited.
Learning alongside people across a wide spectrum was a humbling experience. Often, I learned not through words but through signs, presence, and feelings. Feeding the poor was a powerful reminder of how blessed we are and reminded me of the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Hearing the orchestra playing and hearing the stories of the young adults who were given scholarships to study, is a moving testament to the impact of the Paulist Missionaries in nurturing young lives and assisting them to grow in talent and purpose. Overall, this was an experience I am deeply thankful for and would wholeheartedly encourage others to consider. You may think you are helping others, but in truth, you may find that your own soul is transformed.
Joanna
Preparing food to be distributed among people
My recent trip to the Philippines can best be described as amazing. While words cannot fully capture the depth of the Mission Immersion Experience with the Paulist Missionaries, I am grateful to have had this opportunity in 2026, having followed the mission journeys that began from Australia thirteen years ago.
My husband and I joined ten other participants from across Melbourne for a seventeen-day programme. Whether reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new ones, the group quickly became a supportive and closely bonded team.
During my time in the Philippines, every sense felt heightened—the vibrant sights, sounds, and atmosphere left a lasting impression. What stood out most, however, was the extraordinary generosity and kindness of the people. From the warm hospitality of the Paulist priests, brothers, and Lay, who provided accommodation, meals, transport, guidance, and even cultural activities, to the local communities of 13th Street New Manila and Bataan, who welcomed us into their homes despite having so little. Each encounter reflected an inspiring spirit of openness and grace. Their actions offered a powerful insight into what it means to embody strength, resilience, compassion and faith. I feel the face of Jesus has been reflected in all of these people.
Claire
Visiting members of the 13th Street informal community in their homes
“Welcome to the family.” This was the song the L’Arche group (core members, as they are known, with intellectual disabilities) sang for us early on in the trip that I think sums up our 2026 Mission Immersion Trip.
We were welcomed with open arms by the Paulist Missionaries priests, seminarians and Lay on our arrival in the Philippines. We started off by being shown to our accommodation for first five nights followed by Mass with the Paulist community.
Our visit to the L’Arche group bought us much joy and happiness. We were shown how to make bracelets with beads, but I spent a lot of my time trying to pick up dropped beads.
We walked from MSSP house down to the end of 13th street in New Manila where members of the informal community lived. Here too we were made very welcome. The people had large smiles on their faces. They were so proud and wanted to show us where they lived. The houses were often made from cardboard or with walls with bits of cement and tin. Some buildings rose three stories high with whole families living with children, parents and grandparents. Each room was probably two or three metres square and during wetter months they are flooded out several times and have to restart their lives again and again.
We also visited Bataan and spent eight nights with Fr Joe. Here we also met the Jose De Piro Orchestra. In 2019 Claire and I had billeted Aaron and Aris when the orchestra visited Australia and it was great to catch up with them again.
One afternoon we visited the area of Bodega where Fr Joe has built some houses which he offered to poor homeless families. Here we visited three or four homes and each time we were welcomed with open arms. One woman we visited invited us all into her home. We could appreciate that she had decorated her small house to her taste. She made sure we all had a glass of soft drink.
Each day we gathered for Mass either as a group or with the Paulist Missionary community. Here we were able to break open the word. This, along with our regular debrief sessions, proved to be invaluable and enlightening.
A big thankyou to Fr Jude and Fr Mario for their guiding light.
Michael
Celebrating together with Core Members at the Arche community
Inspired by their Founder the Servant of God Joseph De Piro, many men have accepted the call to join the Missionary Society of St Paul. The song “Sharing His Dream,” by Judy Camilleri and Belinda Hyland, along with the gospel, in particular Matthew 25:35-45, highlight the purpose behind the mission. Paulist Missionaries are currently serving the needs of the poor in Australia, Cuba, Malta, Pakistan, Peru and Philippines.
Through my reading and watching of various audio-visual presentations, I have experienced the needs of the poor in different parts of the world, but being personally immersed in the mission of serving the poor in Manila and Bataan, while living in community with the Paulist Missionaries, I gained deep insight into the lives of those struggling to live in very basic accommodation with very little comfort and the poorest of facilities to meet basic human needs. I was inspired most by the education support provided assisting many young people to finish their tertiary education.
To truly understand the missionary work of the Paulist Missionaries one needs to experience it in person by going on a Missionary Immersion Experience. It will certainly change your life and deepen your faith.
Peter
Visiting a family caring for a young adult with disability
My participation in the Mission Immersion Experience 2026 in the young and emerging nation of the Philippines (the country is eighty years old in 2026 with a median age of 26 years, as of 2022) can be encapsulated by the phrase “learning to cultivate an attitude of mission”(P. Bowring, “The making of the modern Philippines,” 2022). This attitude of mission is not about a geographical place, but “to know if we have God’s love in our heart, we need only look within us and see whether we have the wish that His name be known everywhere”(M. Cilia, “Found among sinners,” 2010).
My Mission Immersion Experience has begun to cultivate this attitude of mission within me. Along with observing the miserable conditions of poverty lived daily by the Filipino poor in both urban and rural settings, in places like the 13th Street community in New Manila, the residents in Bodega, Bataan, and the Aeta indigenous Filipinos of Batiawan, this immersion presented me with an invaluable opportunity to foster my relationship with God through prayer, Eucharist, faith sharing, service and community. This divine encounter was lived out in my daily and ordinary encounters with the Filipinos and the Paulist Missionary community. Frequently my journey challenged me to move out of my comfort zone to be vulnerable and throw away “my cloak,” like Bartimaeus (Mk 10:50), to spring up and come to meet Jesus in every situation. Moreover, my journey was frequently disrupted by unfamiliar, and sometimes chaotic, experiences that I had no control over.
Yet, the God of surprises was challenging me to be human and compassionate to all I met. Pope Leo XIV states “indeed before being a religious matter, compassion is a question of humanity! Before being believers, we are called to be human” (28/5/25). This is a mandate that every Christian must take to heart and live out. As it says at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus calls each of us to “go and do likewise” (Lk 10:37)( Pope Leo XIV, “Dilexi Te,” 2025).
The Paulist Missionary family in the Philippines are making a difference through education, welfare programs, almsgiving and housing projects. All of these are restoring and upholding the dignity of all Filipinos by meeting their needs. This is reflected in the Filipinos’ attitude of happy resilience despite immense poverty. Finally, we must be mission wherever we live.
Pope Francis summed this up by saying that no baptised Christian is exempt from the Church’s mission. The “Lord is asking you to be a gift wherever you are and just as you are, with everyone around you.” In his book “Found Among Sinners” Fr Martin Cilia mssp asserts that an attitude of mission requires one to be grounded in contemplation (prayer) and balanced with ministry (action). Joseph De Piro, in his mission spirituality espoused such principles in his life. We need to be first servants and witnesses, and then, evangelists.
Philip
Beautiful scenery welcoming us in Bataan
I begin with gratitude to my wife, whose encouragement made this beautiful mission journey possible.
Over the two-week journey, I gained two profound insights.
Firstly, I witnessed the depth and reach of the mission work of the Paulist Missionaries, which continues to nurture faith and build stronger communities around the world. The International House of Formation in New Manila offers seminarians a peaceful environment for their formation to the priesthood. My time with them sharing our life experiences, daily Mass, and community events were truly uplifting. In Bataan, I saw how the presence of the Paulist Missionaries is shaping young people and families through the inspiring vision of the Founder, the Servant of God Joseph De Piro.
Secondly, travelling through the Philippines I experienced a society striving to live out Christian values, especially the call to love one another. Despite economic hardship, many Filipinos demonstrate remarkable generosity caring for the elderly, the disable, and the vulnerable.
Through these encounters, I was reminded that God reveals himself when we love one another, build peaceful relationships, and generously share our time and gifts. This is a lesson I will carry forward in my life.
My heartfelt thanks to Fr Jude and Fr Mario for organising this mission and for their companionship, and to my fellow travellers whose gifts enriched this unforgettable journey.
Sujee
Ministering to the Aetas indigenous community in Batiawan
After returning to Australia I have spent time reflecting on my experience of Mission Immersion 2026. From the moment we met at the airport on 2 January 2026 to our return to Melbourne, the journey challenged my perspectives and deepened my understanding of service, compassion, and faith. Throughout the experience I was continually reminded of the message in Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Our first encounter with the informal community on 13th Street, New Manila, left a lasting impression. Despite the depth of poverty and hardship, I witnessed a profound sense of joy and resilience among the people living there. This experience contrasted sharply with the visit to Anawim home for the elderly, where the visible need for a nursing home for abandoned senior citizens was both confronting and heartbreaking. It forced me to reflect on the dignity of ageing and the responsibility we share in caring for the most vulnerable.
New Manila was overwhelming on a sensory level. The constant smell of open drainage, the oppressive heat trapped by large concrete structures with little airflow, the relentless noise of traffic, and the close proximity in which people lived made daily life feel incredibly challenging. The clutter of rubbish and broken materials surrounding homes further reinforced the harsh realities faced by the community. These conditions prompted me to reflect on my own comfort and privilege, and how easily these are taken for granted.
Bataan, while different atmosphere, presented many of the same challenges—limited infrastructure, poverty, and environmental hardship. However, in Bataan I encountered a strong sense of hope. Each evening that hope echoed as we heard the Jose De Piro youth orchestra rehearsing their pieces. Music became a symbol of opportunity and a potential pathway out of the cycle of poverty. The dedication and inspiring work of Fr Joe and the Paulist Missionaries deeply moved me and highlighted the transformative impact of sustained, compassionate service.
Mission Immersion 2026 taught me that life is not defined by comfort or material security, but by connection, faith, and service to others. This experience has reshaped my understanding of what it means to live with purpose. Serving others is not only an act of generosity, but a deeply revitalising experience that strengthens both the giver and the receiver.
Andrew
Ministering to informal communities in 13th Street, New Manila
The Mission Immersion Experience in Manila and Bataan with the Paulist Missionaries was a profound encounter with faith in action. Meeting communities who endure daily struggle yet radiate remarkable hope reminded me of Christ’s enduring presence among the poor and the invitation to serve with humility. The hospitality we received, often from those who had so little financially, revealed the depth of generosity and challenged my understanding of what it means to be a disciple. Visiting sites of history, mission, and community outreach deepened my sense of Church as a people journeying together in compassion. Walking alongside families, listening to stories of perseverance, and participating in outreach programmes showed me that mission is not only about giving, but also receiving, learning to see with the heart of God in all people. I return grateful, energised and inspired to live the gospel with greater compassion, justice, and solidarity with the most vulnerable.
Georgie
The Mission Immersion Experience will have been my third this time. I can see more growth in the country although poverty is very clear no matter where you look. The work the Paulist Missionaries are doing in the community supports the needy you can witness.
We visited aged care homes and sheltered homes where protection and care is offered. Leaving Manila and going to Bataan it is amazing to see Fr Joe Cremona and the work he has done turning a barren piece of land into something so beautiful. His work with the youth helping a group of children learn different instruments forming an orchestra and helping children with education. The Mission Immersion Experience has been very full and not easy. Thank you Fr Jude and Fr Mario.
Joan
Mission 2026 was a period of prayer, discussion and good works as well as visiting charitable organisations firstly around Manila and then the schools and institutions in Bataan Province.
While it is apparent that there is a great amount of poverty both in Manila and Bataan, not everyone is destitute. Even the people of the informal community on 13th Street, New Manila, seem to manage – (some on their own, some with some help from the Paulist Missionaries). Most can raise a smile and a greeting when confronted with a stranger from overseas.
In 2024 our participation in the good works was by preparing hampers for distribution to the poor of Manila, in 2026 we participated in a similar exercise in Bataan. In both cases this involved reducing a half a tonne of rice from 25Kg sacks to 2Kg parcels. In Bataan we followed this up by participating in the distribution to the Aetas community living in the mountains of Batiawan, on the outskirts of St Catherine of Alexandria Parish.
As in my previous experiences, I found this occasion one for questioning my values, and reassessing how I conduct myself. I became more aware of the love being given by the staff in the care they extended to the less advantaged in the institutions – some of them paid staff, others volunteers. None of the institutions visited received any form of government assistance but were obliged to be “registered” and report their activities to that same government. All existed on donations.
The dedication of the young men at the International House of Formation in New Manila, their friendliness and welcome made me want to come again and follow them in their careers and in the life they have chosen.
Likewise, the people in the orchestra at Bataan are an example of what one man of vision can achieve in changing lives.
Far from being a Holiday, Mission 2026 has been an opportunity to see the other side of the coin and how people just get on with life and cope with what they have – be it good or bad.
Leon