Columban Mission History in the Philippines
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Since its establishment in 1928, over 400 Columban priests, sisters and lay missionaries have worked in the Region. There are presently over 100 Columbans in the Philippines. The Columban presence was initially confined to Manila and the neighbouring Diocese of Cavite. In 1938, the first group of Columbans went to Mindanao. World War 11 totally disrupted the life of the Filipino people for its duration. In Mindanao, the priests and sisters fled to the mountains along with the people and lived there for the duration of the Japanese occupation. During the 40's and 50's the Columban presence increased and the priests took on responsibility to staff parishes in Mindanao, Negros and Luzon while the sisters worked primarily in education field staffing schools and colleges. |
Pastoral Activities and Outreach:
Parish Apostolate:
The traditional missionary work of the Society has been the parish apostolate.
The Columban priests established and staffed parishes in eleven dioceses.
For the most part, diocesan priests now staff these parishes. Education:
The Columban Fathers established high schools in virtually every parish
they opened. In addition, the Columban Sisters colleges and elementary
and high schools. In all, the Columbans would have established approximately
100 schools. This has made an enormous contribution to the development
of the country.
University Chaplaincy:
Campus Ministry was an enormous undertaking by the Columbans from the 1930's. Diocesan personnel now staff the program.
Columban Formation:
Columban Fathers' Seminary Formation:
Following the 1982 General Chapter of the Columban Fathers, the Region of the Philippines formed its own Initial Formation Program to prepare Filipino Columban Missionaries. There are presently 10 Filipino ordained missionaries.
Columban Sisters' Formation Program:
The Columban Sisters have a Novitiate in Manila for women wishing to join the Congregation. There are presently 21 Filipino Columban Sisters serving in Columban Mission areas.
Justice and Peace and Environment:
The Columbans in the Philippines see that working for Justice is central to their missionary endeavours. Ecological devastation is a factor that contributes enormously to the exploitation of the poor. Such concerns are a vital component in this ministry.
Inter-Faith Diologue:
Dialogue of Life with Muslims and indigenous peoples is a priority. This was initially concentrated in Marawi and Pagadian. There are still Columbans engaged in the program.
Lay Missionaries: T
he Lay Mission Programme is very strong in the Region. The Region is both receiving and sending lay missionaries. Teams of Filipino L.M.'s have gone to Brazil, Fiji, Pakistan, Britain and Ireland. Philippines have received teams from Chile, Korea and Ireland. The Philippines have received teams from Chile, Korea and Ireland.
Mission Awareness:
Five Columbans are engaged in this work together with teams of religious and laity. Its objective is to promote the missionary work of the Philippine Church. MISYON magazine is a very key element in this program.
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