The Sower throws the seeds in Pakistan!!!

After two years of anticipation and active-waiting, I went to visit my family in Pakistan. Surely they were very happy just as I was/am happy to see them.

I got to see so many people; former friends, priests, religious and other well-wishers. I attended a Diocesan gathering for a Lenten recollection. It was a nice experience. I met Bishop Joseph Coutts, the Bishop of Faisalabad, Pakistan.  He made a special mention of St. Camillus, the Camillians and of our ministry to the sick. It was, indeed, amazing for them to see a man wearing a big red cross on the chest. Indeed, it was an eye-opener for them to know that there are ‘others’ as well. They came to know about the Camillians.

It felt wonderful to be back and see ‘my people.’  But you know, after staying for many years away from them, my own people don’t look like my own anymore.  Everything seems to have changed, some for better, others for worse.  Terrorism and fundamentalism were on the rise and the government and the army were struggling to contain and eradicate the violence.  I can only wish good luck for my people and my country...

Even in that environment, nothing could dissuade and stop me from going around and sharing the good news of good health. Though I was on vacation, I became too busy to rest.  In the early part of my vacation before Easter, I prepared the vocation promotion materials: brochures, copies of a prayer for the sick and stickers proclaiming the good works of the Camillians in a land where very few people know them. The brochures, flyers, stickers, and the prayers for the sick went where the spirit led and brought them. The people came to know about the healing ministry of the Camillians; many started writing and checking out our Camillian website.  (Brothers, if you have time, check it out too: www.camilliansphil.org.)

Going around alone for vocation promotion was a humbling experience. I missed the community. It was hard to do things alone but I believed the Lord was with me; the prayers of my confreres were with me. It was not my work but that of Camillus and of God. The Lord God himself was present in every vocation promotion endeavour.

I want to thank the Provincial Superior, Fr. Ivo Z. Anselmi, his council members, and the Philippine Province for their constant and unwavering support in the past and especially now in this vocation promotion.

The seeds thrown have started to grow; many young men make inquires and express their desire to be part of our Order and serve the sick. May God and St. Camillus de Lellis help us grow in stature, in wisdom, communion with Him and in our ministry.  And thus, may He send more labourers to work in His vineyard.