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OFWs in Italy observe Holy Week 2025, special jubilee year
ROME, Italy — For many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Italy, their Catholic faith has deepened as they observe Holy Week 2025 and the jubilee year of forgiveness and hope here in Rome.
During Holy Week, or Settimana Santa in Italian, palm fronds are prominently displayed in the houses of Filipino migrants. Many of them, including Veneracion Villarba, go to the Vatican City to have these palm fronds or palaspas blessed—a tradition deeply rooted in Filipino culture.
Villarba, who hails from Batangas, told GMA News Online that she attends the Papal Mass for the blessing of palms, a vow she has made since arriving in Italy in 1999.
"This has been my vow every Holy Week—to come to the Vatican City for the blessing of palms," Villarba said.
Other Filipinos in Italy actively participate in ceremonies every Maundy Thursday, including the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples. The Mass also prominently features the ritual of foot washing (lavanda dei piedi), during which the feet of 12 individuals—typically community members—are symbolically washed by the priest.
In some parishes with a large Filipino community, Filipinos are chosen for this ritual to recognize their significant role in the church.
Following the Mass, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held, where the faithful silently pray and reflect on the impending passion of Christ. Many Filipinos remain in the church until midnight, joining Italians in prayer. As part of their tradition, many also participate in the Visita Iglesia, traveling to seven churches to pray and meditate.
On Good Friday, many Filipinos in Italy observe and participate in the Way of the Cross (Via Crucis), where they meditate on the 14 Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum.
This year, Pope Francis, who typically leads this event, did not attend due to his ongoing recovery.
Filipino chaplaincy in Italy
Although life abroad is often associated with work, Filipinos in Italy can freely practice their personal devotions during the Holy Week. The abundance of churches in Rome allows many Filipinos to attend Mass every day, engage in prayer devotions, and participate in confessions.
Aside from this, the Filipino chaplaincy in Italy has reinforced the Catholic faith throughout Filipino communities by organizing Lenten recollections, retreats, confessions, and masses in the Filipino.
"Through this, OFWs are able to express their emotions, prayers, and faith in the language of their upbringing," Fr. Ronan Ayag, the Filipino chaplain in Rome, shared in a recent homily.
"Mahalaga ito para sa mga migranteng malayo sa pamilya. Sa pamamagitan ng mga gawaing ito, naipapaalala namin na kahit nasa ibang bansa kami, kasama pa rin namin ang Diyos sa aming paglalakbay," Ayag said.
(This is important for migrants who are away from their families. Through these activities, we can remind fellow migrants that God is still with us on our journeys overseas.)
Filipino migrants like Ed Bautista, who has lived in Italy for nearly four decades, appreciate religious activities done in Filipino.
"Ako, [halos] 40 years na sa Italya, nag-a-attend din ako ng Mass sa wikang Italyano pero iba pa rin ang pakiramdam kapag sa sarili mong wika mo kinakausap ang Diyos, lalo na sa pangungumpisal," Bautista said.
(I have been in Italy for nearly 40 years and attend the Mass in Italian. Still, the feeling is so different when you talk to God in your own language, especially during confessions.)
Conversely, many OFWs are now considered integrated into the host country, especially those with children who are growing up and studying in Italy. They have become integral to significant celebrations at their local parishes and actively participate in church activities alongside Italians. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
