Catholic bishops in the Philippines have declared Christmas Day and December 26 as national days of prayer and mourning for victims of Super Typhoon Rai that ravaged southern and central parts of the country. 

The bishops’ conference December 20 called on all dioceses to dedicate both days to those affected by the storm, which weather observers said was the most powerful to make landfall in the island nation this year, ucanews.com reported. The Philippine National Police said December 21 that the death toll had risen to 375 while 56 people remained missing.

Hundreds of people were injured and more than 400,000 people were displaced by the intense storm, which made landfall several times December 16-17.

The Spiritans and their local lay associates suffered heavy losses to their homes and belongings. Power has not yet been restored and the Congregation is mounting an emergency appeal for donations in response to the attendant humanitarian needs.

Fr. Peter Wadani Matthew, C.S.Sp., Spiritan Superior of the Philippines, shared these comments in a recent communication.

“In Southern Leyte, which was the pathway of the typhoon, the devastation was great leaving not too many deaths, but too many people without homes. The Parish Church where our confreres Frs. James Kutav and Simeon Baio are currently serving was not spared. Worst hit in that area are few of our Lay Spiritans who have either lost the roof of their homes or lost the whole house altogether.

We lack the financial capacity to help them. All we can do now is to mobilize food for them and await government relief. Our confreres are unharmed, but the roof and steel truss of their parish church was ripped and twisted.

In Cebu, where Frs. Jean Marie Bassok and Martin Umunnakwe are working, the most badly hit of our communities is the house in Talisay, where Jean Marie Bassok resides. The alignment of the roof is displaced, the ceilings ripped off by the strong wind and power lines down. Although our confreres are safe and alive, they need supplies and a place to take shelter. This is an emergency because any delay would lead to further damage of properties should there be heavy downpour or earthquake, which is the characteristics of this place.

We are in dire need of means to:

• Purchase relief food and water
• Reinforce the roof of the Spiritan community house in Talisay, Cebu
• Replace the ceilings
• Rewire and Restore electricity”

You can help to restore a sense of normalcy for those affected by Typhoon Rai by making a donation today:

• Donate online here
• Mail a check (or money order) made payable to Congregation of the Holy Spirit to 1700 West Alabama Street, Houston, TX 77098. Please write "Typhoon Relief."

Thank you for your support.


Interior of house in Talisay


Exterior of house in Talisay