Mission, where life calls
On February 11th, in Digos, in the southern Philippines, something simple yet deeply powerful took place. The gymnasium of San Isidro Labrador Parish was no longer just a place for sports or gatherings. For one day, it became a space of life. A space of care. A space of mission.
From early morning, families began to arrive, sometimes after difficult journeys. Some held their children by the hand. Others carried silently the weight of worry, illness, and limited access to healthcare.
That day, the parish opened its doors wide for a medical mission, organized with the support of the local Church and many committed partners. Alongside pastoral workers, doctors from the Davao del Sur Medical Society and the Philippine Medical Association offered their expertise with great generosity. Some ladies from the Daughters of Mary’s Immaculate International group were present to welcome, guide, and support those in need.
The Quebec Foreign Mission Society, represented by Ana Maria Jara, a lay associate missionary in the Philippines, joined this movement of solidarity, grateful to take part in this concrete work of compassion. Thanks to this collective effort, between 150 and 200 people were able to receive essential care free of charge: internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, optometry, mental health support, accompaniment for pregnant women, and medication.
But beyond the consultations, what was offered above all was a deeply human presence. A young family arrived that day, shaken by a mental health diagnosis affecting one of their members. They did not know how to move forward. They were afraid. They were exhausted. They left with guidance, attentive listening, and above all, with this certainty: they are not alone. Ongoing support will continue through the St. Benedict Psychiatric Clinic, where Brother Bernard Pasacas, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk in Digos, serves patiently and faithfully, surrounded by dedicated volunteers.
Dem, a young volunteer from the parish youth group, expressed it best: “This medical mission was truly meaningful. Seeing so many people receive the help they needed filled me with joy. I didn’t even feel tired… I can’t wait for the next mission.”
This is what mission is: a gesture, an encounter, a community that chooses to serve, and a hope that is shared. Twice a year, on February 11th and during the parish feast in May, this mission returns, reminding us of something essential: compassion can take flesh, here and now.
Because the mission so often begins like this: with an open door… and a hand extended.
