Philippines History

Following a call from the General Chapter of 1980 to expand vocational promotion in Asia, the Provincial Superior Fr. Dominic Ceresoli, CS, initiated discussions to establish a base in the Philippines to respond to the massive waves of Filipino emigration.

With the blessing of Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila, the first Scalabrinian missionaries (Frs. Anthony Paganoni, John Iacono, and Luigi Sabbadin) arrived in Manila in late 1982.

In May 1984, the first candidates began their studies in Quezon City. This program expanded rapidly, leading to the construction of the Scalabrini Formation Center (Manila) in 1985 and the Theological House of Studies in 1992.

Over the following decades, the Philippines became the core hub of academic and religious formation for the province, with the establishment of the Novitiate and Postulancy houses in Cebu to support international candidates from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Indonesia History

The Scalabrinian presence in Indonesia began with the invitation of a Mexican Servite Sister, Sr. Alicia Sandoval, in 2001 to recruit vocation candidates. In June 2002, our province officially opened a house of discernment in Ruteng, Flores, NTT under Fr. Leo Bobila, CS.

The initial candidate groups completed their preparatory year in Ruteng and studied Philosophy in Manila. However, due to rapid growth, the philosophy program was permanently relocated to Maumere, Flores. There, candidates attend classes at Ledalero under the SVD Sikka diocese program before moving to Cebu for their Postulancy.

In August 2018, the Scalabrinians opened a border mission on the Island of Batam, providing a shelter and parish center near the border with Singapore and Malaysia to assist deportees and transient workers.

Vietnam History

Surveys and bishop consultations regarding a Vietnamese presence began in 2003. Fr. Carmelo Hernandez and Fr. Edward Pacquing visited Ho Chi Minh City in 2004, meeting with Cardinal Pham Minh Man, who welcomed our charism and noted the high potential for vocations.

The 2005 Provincial Assembly officially approved the opening of the Vietnam Vocation Program. On 5 September 2005, the first group of 10 Vietnamese candidates formally entered the seminary.

A decree from the Father General in Rome formally established the Ho Chi Minh City formation house on 8 September 2005, serving as the preparatory base before the candidates continue their theology studies in Manila.

Japan History

Fr. Olmes Milani (Brazilian) and Fr. Restituto Ogsimer (Filipino) arrived in Tokyo on 12 September 2003, starting their mission by studying the language and assisting migrant workers in Meguro and Asakusa on weekends.

In 2006, the Archdiocese of Tokyo designated the third floor of Meguro Church as the Scalabrinian Residence. Confreres were appointed to lead Meguro and Chiba offices of the Catholic Tokyo International Centre (CTIC) to assist the archdiocese in migrant affairs.

In January 2007, Colombian missionary Fr. Jose Alirio Gutierrez joined the team, expanding pastoral care to Spanish-speaking migrant workers in Saitama Diocese.

Taiwan History

In June 1994, Taipei Archbishop Joseph Ti-Kang welcomed Fr. Edwin Corros, CS, and Fr. Michael Cagna, CS, to establish the Office for Migration under the Taiwan Bishops Conference.

Fr. Edwin Corros, CS, assumed leadership of St. Christopher’s Parish, Taipei’s largest church catering to Filipino workers.

In Kaohsiung, Fr. Bruno Ciceri, CS, established the Stella Maris International Seafarers Center in February 1996 to assist seafarers at one of the world’s busiest container ports. In January 2012, Fr. Franco Lacanaria, CS, was installed as the pastor of St. Mary’s Kaohsiung, marking our first Chinese-speaking parish in Taiwan.