ABSTRACT
This chapter takes stock of the experiences of overseas Filipino Catholics, in general, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), in particular, as a context for reflection on Filipino missionary activity in contemporary times. It begins with a sketch, in broad strokes, of the history of mission in the Filipino context, with attention to shifts in missionary thinking and practice, followed by a discussion on the missionary dimensions of the experiences of Filipinos in diaspora, particularly OFWs. The history of mission in the Philippines can be seen from three waves of missionary activity. According to the Philippine government, Filipinos in diaspora can be categorized into three groups, namely permanent migrants (4.8 million), temporary migrants (4.2 million), and irregular migrants (1.2 million). The chapter demonstrates that the interpretation of mission ad gentes needs to go beyond geographical boundaries and embrace new human global geographies.
