As Holy Week nears, commuters using public transport in Manila are likely to encounter people distributing special prayer booklets.

They are so-called Holy Week “missionaries” who are also regular commuters that have made it their panata (religious vow) to spread the Word of God in public places, including on buses and jeepneys.

The Catholic Church frowns on the practice but tolerates it, saying it’s the people’s way of evangelizing and expressing their faith.

“From the point of view of the Catholic Church, we would rather go to the homes of the faithful,” said Father Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

“But that is their right. We respect that. But as I said, is this the appropriate place? For example, other people on a bus might find them irritating. Still, I admire them for their zeal and for professing their faith,” the priest said.

The booklet, Sowers of the Word Ministries, contains Bible passages, mostly about Jesus Christ’s healing power, and urges people to turn away from sin.

The distribution is an initiative of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.

Others on a “mission” choose to preach the Word of God in markets and train stations.

PM13957.1649