SVD Philippine Central Province Official Website

In 1913 the Society opened a temporary residence with a chapel and a Procure in Manila in a House provided by Archbishop Jeremias Harty of Manila. Fr. Beck was appointed procurator. At this time the Archbishop of Manila had entrusted to the SVD the administration of St. Rita’s Hall, a dormitory for boys-students (now the Sta. Isabel College facing Luneta Park).

In November of 1913 Fr. Luis Beckert died. The following year Fr. Miguel Hergesheimer was appointed by Rome as the new regional superior.

From 1909 to 1916 the young Philippine SVD mission sustained extreme sacrifices – five deaths of its missionaries in the first seven years, including the founders: one was drown with his horse in an Abra river, four died of fatal ailments.

From 1918 to 1921 the Philippine SVD Mission suffered a hard blow with the exile of sven Abra missionaries – six priests to the U.S. and one Brother to Germany, namely: Frs. William Finnemann, Henry Buerschen, Miguel Gergesheimer, Joseph Stigler, Bruno Drescher, Frances Blasczyk, and Bro. Ulrich Meyer. Fortunately, the priests in the U.S. were immediately released and allowed to go to Techny where they were welcomed. Fr. Blasczyk died in a U.S. hospital. Meanwhile, three CICM missionaries and two diocesan priests took over the Abra vacant mission stations.

In 1921 the exiled SVD’s returned to Abra. Four new missionaries arrived. The Philippine Mission picked up momentum.

In 1922 the Philippine SVD took over Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro. Fr. Henry Demond pioneered the work, establishing himself in Lubang, followed by Fr. Carlos Krusenbaum in 1923, the latter attending to Tilik.

On November 19, 1923, the first SSpSAD Sisters arrived in Manila, ten of them – 5 coming from Steyl and 5 from Philadelphia, USA. They were immediately accommodated in the Convento del Divino Amor in Lipa provided by Bishop Alfredo Verzosa.

In 1924 the SVD definitely settled themselves in Manila with a Catholic Trade School and a printing-press. The printing-press was run by three newly arrived Brothers from Steyl, all experts in their own trade: Bros. Laurentinus Pütt, Agatho Schleiner and Hubertus Bodemer. They were joined by Bro. Vitus Woitok in 1926.

The SVD administration then moved over to Manila, at CTS. In 1926 the SVD took over the administration of the Major Seminary in Vigan from the Jesuits.

In 1927 the Society took over the Zambales mission. Fr. Joseph Stigler spearheaded the takeover by starting at San Narciso already in 1926. The following year Fr. Miguel Anspach joined him. In 1928 two more came, Fr. Henry Demond and Fr. Carlos Krusenbaum.

In May 1934, the entire island of Mindoro was officially entrusted to the SVD, as a Mission Territory by a papal decree. In the same year Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City, Manila, was inaugurated and officially opened to candidates.

In 1935, the Philippine SVD made a big leap by extending its mission from the northern Philippines (Luzon) to the South by taking over Colegio de San Carlos in Cebu (Visayan islands) – to become University of San Carlos in 1948. From here, the Society of the Divine Word in the course of many years extended its presence and missionary service to other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.