Official Visit by Superior General (Lipa)
16 August, 2025
Throughout his visit in the Philippines from August 2 to 12, 2025, Superior General Roberto Zammit, accompanied the members of the SDC centre of Lipa and met several key persons who have been and still are providing great support to them. These include members of the clergy such as Fr Jayson Siapco (parish priest of Marawoy, Lipa), Fr Darwin de Leon (parish priest of Darasa, Tanauan), Fr Jose dela Cruz (Redemptorist) as well as a number of priest formators at the St Francis de Sales Theology Seminary.
On Friday, August 8, 2025, he was invited, together with the SDC members, for dinner with Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, newly elected president of the Philippines’ Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCP), and his secretary Monsignor Ericson Tio.
Superior General also paid a visit to FAITH Colleges in Tanauan, where the SDC members have been employed since July 2025, teaching senior high school students at FAITH Catholic School and at the International Baccalaureate. Here, he met Sir Arnold Catapang, the school Principal, thanking him for his continued trust and support to the members.
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, the members together with Superior General were invited for a mass commemorating Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales’ 93rd birthday, Archbishop emeritus of Lipa and Manila. The Eucharistic celebration was led by the cardinal himself, together with Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David and Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, together with Archbishop Garcera and other Filipino bishops.
During the weekends, Superior General attended the catechetical sessions delivered by the SDC members at the Marawoy parish, namely, meetings held for parents in preparation for baptism and adult catechesis sessions. Additionally, there were moments of sharing between Superior General and the members, as well as lighter moments of community, including a visit to the Marian Orchard pilgrimage centre in Balete.
Thanks be to the Lord for this visit which has strengthened the ties between the SDC in the Philippines and the administration, and encouraged the continuation of the Lord’s mission in this new SDC centre.
