My name is Charlon Xuereb and I come from Gozo, Malta. In July 2025 I started my novitiate year with the Missionary Society of St Paul. This is the first year in the formation of a Paulist Missionary. It is a time when I come to know myself better, the community, and to grow in my relationship with God. At the conclusion of this year I hope to profess the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for one year and join this religious community. The novitiate year is held in Manila, the Philippines, together with other members in formation.
As part of my novitiate year, last January I joined another nine novices from other congregations and went on an immersion experience living with some disadvantaged families in remote villages. Every novice was invited to spend ten days with a family sharing their meals, work and family home. Although it was difficult to communicate in Tagalog, the language of the Philippines, using some English words, a few Tagalog words and some sign language, I always managed to communicate with my host family. The family I stayed with looked after me as if I was one of their sons. They loved me and always made sure I did not lack anything, even though due to their financial poverty they could not offer me much.
I was welcomed by two grandparents and their grandson. The boy’s father worked in the city and rarely came home. The mother worked overseas and tried to earn money to send back to her family. The boy’s siblings attended school in other villages far from their grandparents’ home. They too only visited their grandparents on weekends, when they have no school. Although the family struggled financially they accepted me into their family home and never made me feel as if I was invading their private space.
I noticed that they craved for some hope in a better future but could barely find any. The chapel in their barangay (village) was always open for prayers, but the parish priest could only celebrate Mass once a week as he had a number of these small chapels to visit. I felt very sorry for these people who did not have the opportunity to grow in faith or to better their life. I was very fortunate that they welcomed me and were ready to share with me their struggles and that, regardless of their difficulties, they still lived a happy life and tried hard to live a normal way of life.
My time with this family helped me understand three very important things. Firstly, I need to be grateful that I have the opportunity to grow in faith, both when I was growing up in my family and now as a religious. Secondly, there is a great need for more people committed to witness the faith and hope to people marginalised by society. Thirdly, often our presence as missionaries is enough to convey a message of hope.
I thank God for this immersion experience, for my supervisors who journeyed with me during this time and to the family that welcomed me. Through them I continue to realise my wish to live a life of poverty and simplicity. I understand how beautiful it is to be able to bring hope and encouragement to those in need, the beauty of prayer in these difficult moments, and that God is always present encouraging me to be his love to others.