【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2015 年 1 月 15 日菲律賓馬尼拉訊】 ─ 教宗方濟各抵達菲律賓首都馬尼拉。教宗到訪的主題為仁慈與憐憫。這主題十分貼切，因為菲律賓最近飽歷一連串的天災。教宗的榜樣與信息，對眾人來說，尤其是菲律賓人而言，都是充滿訓導性的。
的確，在拯救受苦及有需要人士的工作方面，各個教區或堂區團體，已作出很深入的反省，也制訂了不同的計劃，並付諸實行。一些菲律賓主教重申教宗的渴望，就是他的到訪要成為效法仁慈憐憫的基督的途徑，這次到訪亦視為神修更新的契機。
是次活動的主辦者表示，教宗不會接見太多官員及名人，因為他希望與貧苦人士及天災災民會面。教宗將前往去年受颱風侵襲的獨魯萬市。
教宗到訪馬尼拉及獨魯萬，不用說就是要使這兩個會省的慈幼會士保持警覺。今天，一群來自Tuloy sa鮑思高街童村的青年，將參與在機場舉行的歡迎儀式。兩名兒童（一男一女）將向教宗致候，並依照菲律賓傳統，給他送上花圈。接著，教宗將與聖多瑪斯大學青年領袖會面，而慈幼青年運動的代表也會在場參與。教宗將在Luneta主持公開彌撒，我們的堂區及學校，將組成不同團體參與其中。
菲律賓北會省社會傳播組成員，慈幼會士Joel Camaya神父，已受到四間電視台及一間電台的探訪邀請，與觀眾及聽眾分享有關是次活動的評論及見解。
在獨魯萬附近的Borongan的慈幼會士團體，工作也十分繁重。鮑思高DIRECT 負責人Eugene Maglasang神父，在慈幼會馬德里福傳辦公室及鮑思高網絡的協助下，在獨魯萬重建了多所房屋及學校。
慈幼會士在菲律賓的事業始於1912年，當時來自中國的會士，在鄰近馬尼拉的Malate展開小規模的事業。然而，這些事業只維持了數個月。其後在1951年，慈幼會士在Victorias成立團體，自此福傳工作漸漸擴展至島上其他地區。
1963年，成立了聖若望鮑思高會省，並在馬尼拉附近的馬卡蒂設立總部。1992年，菲律賓南會省(FIS)成立，總部位於宿霧，而菲律賓北會省(FIN)的總部仍設於馬卡蒂。目前，菲律賓北會省有33所會院，而菲律賓南會省則有17所會院。兩個會省共有約340名會士。
Pope Francis’s visit to the poor and the little ones
(ANS - Philippines –Manila, 15 January 2015) – Pope Francis arrived a few hours ago in Manila, capital of the Philippines. The theme of the Pope's Visit is Mercy and Compassion. It is a very appropriate one because the Philippines has had a series of natural disasters lately. The example of the Pope and the message he brings is a lesson for all, especially for the Filipinos themselves.
Indeed, in the various dioceses and parish communities, there had already been much reflection, many plans of action and also practical acts of compassion towards those who are suffering and in need. Some Philippine bishops reiterated the Pope's desire that his visit be a way of imitating Christ who was merciful and compassionate and that this visit be seen as an opportunity for spiritual renewal.
The organizers of this event said that there would not be much attention for officials and VIPs because the Pope wanted to meet the poor and the victims of disasters. The pope will go to the city of Tacloban that was hit by last year's typhoon.
Needless to say, the Pope's visit to Manila and Tacloban is keeping the Salesians of both Provinces on their toes. Today a group of teenagers from the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Streetchildren Village will participate in the welcome ceremony at the airport. Two children (a boy and girl) will greet the Pope and give him a garland in the usual Filipino tradition. Then there will be the meeting of the Pope with the youth leaders in the University of St. Thomas, and representatives from the Salesian Youth Movement will also be there. During the Pope’s Public Mass at the Luneta, our Parishes and Schools will be present in groups to join in the Eucharist.
Fr Joel Camaya SDB, a member of the Social Communication team of the Northern Province, has been invited by four TV stations and a radio station to participate in interviews and share comments and insights with viewers and listeners.
Near Tacloban, the Salesian community in Borongan is also busy. Fr Eugene Maglasang is the coordinator of Don Bosco DIRECT that has rebuilt houses and schools in Tacloban with the help of the Salesian Mission Office of Madrid and the Don Bosco Network.
Salesians began their work in the Philippines in an insignificant way in 1912 at Malate close to Manila with confreres arriving from China. However, it was operative only for a few months. Later in 1951 the Salesians started a community in Victorias and from there the mission work began to spread to other areas of the islands.
In 1963, the St. John Bosco Province was established with its headquarters in Makati close to Manila. In 1992 a separate Province was set up in the Philippines South region (FIS) with its headquarters in Cebu. The Northern region remained with its headquarters at Makati-Manila (FIN). At present there are 33 houses in the Northern Province, and 17 in the Southern province. There are around 340 confreres from both of the provinces.