Memories and Reflections from Barcelona
By Sister Marissa Piramide OSB

The Missionary Benedictine Sisters started pastoral ministry with the Filipino community in Barcelona in 1986. I came in 1992. A few days after my arrival, the Centro Filipino invited me to join the group representing them at a gathering of Moroccans in one of the churches. It was a peaceful assembly where the Moroccans expressed to the Spanish government and the wider community their issues, their appeals, as foreigners and migrants.

I always tell my friends that when I first dreamed of joining the 2011 WYD in Madrid, all I had back then were my bosses’ permission, my passport and enormous faith. I called it dreaming the impossible, ambitious dream, as I did not have enough funds for the trip.
I Miss my Previous Work