Members of the congregation’s Philippine Province also serve around the world, including in our own Diocese of San Bernardino
By Fr. Romy Seleccion, M.S., E.V.
Seventy-five years of presence of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette in the Philippines has revealed our challenging but fulfilling missionary work. It has inspired and invigorated everyone to live their lives in the dimension of reconciliation in everyday life, with God, with themselves, and in the Church.
The Diocese of San Bernardino currently has eight members of the Philippine Province ministering here: Father Clarence Saldua, M.S.; Father Mahka “Philip” Aung, M.S.; Father Frederick Costales, M.S.; Father Christopher Navarro, M.S.; Father Romeo “Romy” Seleccion, M.S., E.V.; Father Wilfredo Iminga, M.S.; Father Noel Cruz, M.S.; and Father Joseph Pilotin, M.S.
In thanksgiving to the Lord, we had two primary celebrations to mark our congregation’s 75 years of presence in the Philippines. The first was on Feb. 2 at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Ilagan, Isabela. The main presider was the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop John Charles Brown, with concelebrants Bishop David William Antonio, Bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan, and Bishop Prudencion Andaya, Diocese of Tabuk, and with presence of priests (religious and diocesan) plus over 3,000 lay people and students from the La Salette Schools. The second celebration was on Feb. 11 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, in Biga, Silang, Cavite. The main presider was our Superior General, Fr. Silvano Marisa, M.S., and with presence of mostly religious priests, brothers, sisters, seminarians and lay people.
The 75 years of presence of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette in the Philippines had humble beginnings. Four Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette from the then Immaculate Heart of Mary Province (now named the Province of Mary, Mother of the Americas), volunteered to be missioned in the Philippines. They were Father Conrad Blanchet, M.S.; Father Raymond Leduc, M.S.; Father Paul Douillard, M.S.; and Bro. Donat Levasuer, M.S. Those four are the founders of the La Salette Missions in the Philippines.
They came in response to the request of Bishop Constance Jurgens, CICM, then Bishop of the Diocese of Tuguegarao (Cagayan Province) for missionaries to help in the evangelization in the area in 1948.
Moving forward, they settled in the province of Isabela, and established parishes and schools. Now, the La Salette Missionaries have eight high schools, eight elementary schools, one college and one university. They also have a Shrine, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, in Biga, Silang Cavite. The Shrine complex houses our retreat houses and formation house for those studying for the priesthood.
The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette are deeply rooted in the apparition of Our Lady of La Salette which took place close to the village of La Salette in southeastern France on Sept. 19, 1846.
The apparition and the message of Our Lady of La Salette shaped and nourished the content of our charism, reconciliation, that animated and continues to animate the life of our Congregation. Today, the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette spread this message of reconciliation in 25 countries.
Indeed, the 75 years of Presence of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, Ina ng Pag-asa (Mother of Hope) Province-Philippines are testaments of our solemn vow to live out the spirit of reconciliation wherever we are planted.
Over time, the Philippine Province gave birth to the Matha Province in India and resurrected the mission in Myanmar. Additionally, members are working in many Dioceses all over the world: in the Philippines (Diocese of Ilagan, Diocese of Bayombong, Diocese of Novaliches, Diocese of Antipolo, Diocese of Imus, Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, Archdiocese of Dagupan-Lingayen), in Tanzania (Diocese of Bukuba), in Australia (Diocese of Armidale) and in the United States (the Diocese of Honolulu and our very own Diocese of San Bernardino). Some of our members are ministering at the La Salette Shrine in France, and at the National La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Our resilience in the works of reconciliation reflects the words of the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop John Charles Brown, when he said in his homily: “We thank God for the work that they did in 75 years here in this Diocese of Ilagan ... the beautiful missionary labors of the Missionary Fathers and Brothers of Our Lady of La Salette. They came to keep the life of Christ alive!”
And Bishop David William Antonio of the Diocese of Ilagan described who we are now, when he said: “May mercy, hope, reconciliation, preferential love for the poor and those in the existential margins continue to be the heart of your evangelizing mission today ... may the joy of the Gospel always shine on your face so that you may become grateful witnesses ... and be a face of a Synodal Church.”
The mission goes on, as Bishop Antonio summons us: “We look forward to more years of deeper fraternal communion, greater and closer collaboration with you in the realization of our common vision and mission to become a truly Synodal Church.”