28/08/2026
OASIS NEWS-
WHO ARE THE EMMAUS MISSIONARY DISCIPLES?
The Harmony Prayer reminds us that we must share love “in the midst of divisions and conflicts.” It is a universal prayer that people of different religions are invited to pray. The Emmaus Dialogue Community started in 1987 in Zamboanga City in the midst of divisions and conflicts, with three Catholic school teachers. They were among the first members of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement. They began their mission in an area of conflict among neighbors, both Christians and Muslims.
This inspired them to start the Emmaus Dialogue Movement together, which proposed a lay consecrated life for Catholics willing to embrace this vocation in the spirit of dialogue and peace. From this initial experience of women's lay consecration, a community of consecrated laymen was formed; they are Catholics of various professions, including priests. Over the years, other Catholics have been invited to join, including married couples, priests, sisters, and bishops. They are invited to live the Emmaus vocation as a new dimension within their own existing vocations. All of them are part of this new family within the Emmaus Dialogue Movement, and all are called to be Emmaus Missionary Disciples wherever they are.
Over the years, the Emmaus Dialogue Movement has established a college called the Emmaus College of Theology, offering a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a Major in Interreligious Dialogue. This new reality challenges us to spread the mission of the Emmaus disciples, giving priority to the marginalized and poor in society across different religions. They are also committed to reaching out to Catholics who have abandoned their faith over the years for whatever reason.
This reality is becoming increasingly common today. The Church has initiated various efforts to sustain faith, especially through Basic Christian Communities—known in the Zamboanga area as "Tolda Christiana" and by other names elsewhere.
There are different forms of mission within the Church to reach those in need spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally. It was on the road to Emmaus that Jesus approached the two disciples who had lost hope in His mission. This story in the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 24) tells us that Jesus helped them recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. This is precisely what the Emmaus Missionary Disciples are called to do: to approach Christians who have strayed from their faith.
In the context of relationships with people of different faiths, they are called to respect the beliefs of others and share goodness and solidarity in all possible forms, reflecting God's love for humanity as Christians. The Emmaus Missionary Disciples are invited to listen, share, and gently encourage Catholics who have abandoned their faith to return to a vibrant Christian life.
The Emmaus Missionary Disciples firmly believe in the words of the Harmony Prayer:
"O Lord, sustain my vision of peace following Your inspiration. You have many ways of revealing Your presence and love for humanity, but Your style is constant: You are in dialogue with all, You care for all."
The Emmaus Missionary Disciples respect the faith of every person who follows their religion with a pure heart. Yes, we believe there is goodness in all religions, even though we differ on some fundamental aspects of our faith.
In my first experience in the Mission of Siocon, Mindanao, I decided to live close to the Muslim community. For two years, I lived in a poor coastal Muslim community where I was the only Christian. I fondly remember how everyone in that community respected and loved me. I spent my time praying in my nipa house and helping people, especially the sick. It was there that my faith was tested and challenged. The locals would often say to me, "Father, you are good; we hope you can become a Muslim like us.” Often, I did not answer directly but simply smiled. Sometimes, however, I replied, "If I try to be good, it is because I follow the teaching of Jesus that tells me to love all." The mission of dialogue is to share the truth that all people belong to the great family of God and, as brothers and sisters, are called to love one another. That initial friendship with the Muslim community inspired me to move forward and ultimately led me to found the Silsilah Dialogue Movement in 1984.
Today, I encourage our Emmaus Missionary Disciples to be good to all and to share love with everyone. As an elder in this mission, this is the core message I continuously emphasize, and I hope it serves as the entry point for the mission of our Emmaus Missionary Disciples. They are called to love and pay attention to everyone, with a special mission to reach out to Christians who have lost their way. Thus, after bringing them back to the Church through the Basic Christian Communities / Tolda Christiana, we are called to continue the mission and reach out to many other Christians who have lost their faith along life's journey.
Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, PIME
