SVD and Servite Jubilees in the Philippines

SVD and Servite Jubilees in the Philippines

Seven SVD deacons, plus one other, ordained at San Isidro, Abra, on 27 June by Bishop Leopoldo C. Jaucian SVD of Bangued, Abra.

Tomb of Fr Juan Scheiermann SVD

The photos are from Felmar's Missionary Journey, the blog of Fr Felmar C. Fiel SVD, who has written for Misyon.

Father Scheiermann was one of two SVD priests to arrive in the Philippines on 15 August 1909 and a week later went with Bishop James Carroll of Nueva Segovia to Bangued. Father Scheiermann died from typhoid fever less than five months later on 10 January 1910.

Today Archbishop Edward Adams, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, was the main celebrant at a Mass in Bangued to commemorate the centennial of the arrival of the first two SVD priests.

CBCPNEWS reports that Superior General Fr Antonio Pernia SVD, the first Filipino to head the congregation, will be the main celebrant at the culminating Mass of the Centennial Year at the first mission station of the SVDs in San Isidro, Abra, where Our Lady of the PIllar is the parish patron.

You can read more about the history of the SVDs in the Philippines in Hearts on Fire, 'The Home of the SVD-PHN'.

There are now three provinces of the SVDs in the Philippines and many Filipino priests and brothers on overseas mission.


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The Servites, whose full name in Latin is Ordo Fratrum Servorum Beatae Virginis Mariae, the Order of the Servant Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are celebrating the Silver Jubilee of their arrival in the Philippines today in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City. They were founded in Florence, Italy, in 1233 by seven prosperous merchants who renounced their wealth and went to live at the top of a mountain in a life of prayer. It would be as if seven well-known businessmen from the financial heart of Makati City were to go to the mountains of Zambales today and do something similar.



St Peregrine (San Peregrino), 1265-1345, an Italian and a Servite friar, 'was regarded as a firebrand in his day' and took part in anti-papal demonstrations. He is the patron of those with cancer. Another patron of persons with cancer is St Ezekiel Moreno OAR, whose feast we celebrated on 19 August. Born in Spain, he was ordained priest in the Philippines and served in Mindoro, which later became an SVD mission, and then was appointed Bishop of Pasto, Colombia. In 1873 St Ezekiel spent some time in Talisay (now Talisay City) just north of Bacolod City, getting treatment. The Recoletos still run the parish there.


May God continue to bless the great missionary work of the SVDs and the Servites in the Philippines and elsewhere and may our Blessed Mother protect them all.