The introduction of popular religious practices traditionally held during major liturgical feasts in the Philippines has gathered Filipino migrants in Norwich, United Kingdom, into a dynamic ecclesial community. It has sustained their faith even as they struggle to face the many challenges of living and working abroad and keeping the faith without the comforts and certainties provided by a predominantly Catholic culture at home. They draw courage and consolation from participating in the year-round activities in their Filipino chaplaincies. The author's pastoral voluntary work in the United Kingdom has been an experience of building an ecclesial community of Filipinos in diaspora, of providing means of support amidst crisis, and of accompanying them in their journey towards a better life and a more meaningful relationship with God. The paper proceeds in three steps. First, it enumerates the challenges faced by Filipino migrants in the practice of their Catholic faith. Second, it illustrates how these challenges were met through the introduction of religious traditions commonly practiced in the Philippines. Third, it offers some theological insights on the power of popular piety to nourish the faith of Filipino migrants and to form them to become dynamic agents of evangelization. References are made to some points raised by Pope Francis on popular piety in his recent apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. © 2016 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Evangelii Gaudium Norwich spirituality of pilgrimage popular piety Filipino migrants

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