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These nuns have chosen an uncommon path. For five decades in the Philippines, their core charism is to be “contemplative in the middle of the world,” living a deeply prayerful life while remaining immersed in the daily realities of ordinary people, especially the poor and marginalized.
Raised by farmer parents, Dr. Lourdes Sarmiento recalls the hardships of pursuing education before. In her village, she was the first to become a doctor. Now, she serves as a volunteer physician, offering her services as a thanksgiving for the grace she has received.
The Philippine-based Rafaelito and Fe Barino Foundation has been helping individuals with mild to moderate addiction recover and heal. Rooted in the belief that true transformation begins with surrendering to God, the recovery program offers support to persons who wish to start afresh.
Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025 recipient Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva never set out to become a priest, much less a father to the children orphaned by the Philippine war on drugs. But when thousands of men were killed, he stepped into the silence to rebuild the wounded nation.
A member of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM), Sr. Eleanor Llanes, a devoted nun to pastoral care, works with women and youth who engage in promoting justice and the integrity of creation in the global trend.
As a Catholic, Artemio grew up in a dark area–Manila, notorious for crimes, gang wars, drugs, violence, and confusion. But God revealed Himself to him during his difficult and critical times. He reformed himself and leads children and people on the streets closer to God.
Four years ago, the Society of the Divine Word in the Philippines started to transform a land they own that had been idle for decades into an ecotourism destination. Today, it employs more than 100 people to grow crops with solar-powered materials.
Born into a wealthy family in Turin, Italy, Pier Giorgio Frassati gave up his privileged position to dedicate his life to the poor. He led a humble life and was blessed with an extraordinary personality. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized together on 7 September.
Pope Leo XIV spent most of his career as a priest in Peru. He shunned away from the spotlight, but his work echoed across the Andes and as far as Rome. As Pope, he is seen as continuing the work of Pope Francis, making the church more missionary, inclusive, and closer to the people on the margins.
Pope Francis has tirelessly championed peace, calling for dialogue among nations and compassion for refugees; his heartfelt appeals echo across conflict zones, urging humanity to reject violence and embrace reconciliation and global solidarity.
