On December 14, 2025, the Asia-Oceania Conference held its 2nd Online Gathering of lay partners in mission, attended by 36 participants. They were fortunate to have with them one of the General Consultors, Fr. Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R., who shared 9 characteristics of Alphonsian Spirituality, namely: the universal call to holiness, LOVE as the essence of holiness, Jesus as the way to holiness, union with God, prayer as a means to grow daily into the love of God, affective spirituality, practical spirituality for daily living, ecclesial spirituality (St. Alphonsus as defender of the Church), and a riverbed of various streams of spiritualities. Everyone felt so enriched by the talk and the small group sharing.
The Conference Commission on Shared Mission facilitated the gathering, led by Fr. Terence Wee, C.Ss.R. of the Vice-Province of Singapore-Malaysia, together with the members: Fr. Andrew Dantis, C.Ss.R. of the Vice-Province of Majella , Fr. Joseph Du of the Province of Vietnam, Mr. Magin Ardeña of Cebu Province, and Ms. Portia Awayan of Cebu Province. They looked forward to having a face-to-face gathering next year, on October 26-30, 2026, in Cebu City, Philippines. They would also continue with their online-studies on Missiology and Mariology. They prayed to always strive to live by the words of St. Aphonsus: “The love of Christ impels us.” Amen.
Ms. Portia Sylvia D. Awayan
Lay Missionary of the Most Holy Redeemer
Redemptorist Province of Cebu
