The Itinerants Path

All the Marist Brothers and Mission Partners, including all Marist Institutions in the world are now celebrating life with Saint Marcellin Champagnat. Today is his feast day. Father Champagnat is the founder of the Little Brothers of Mary know as Marist Brothers of the Schools (FMS) in France. He was one of the pillars of Marist Fathers. More about Father Champagnat by Brother Sean Sammon, the Superior General of the Marist Brothers…

Year of Spirituality (Marist Apostolic Spirituality, MAS)

This year also, the Marist Brothers celebrate the Year of Spirituality, the Marist Apostlic Spirituality. It started last July 10, 2007 and will end this coming July 10, 2008. This is the spirituality that is being drawn from the spirituality of Saint Marcellin. A book, “WATER FROM THE ROCK – Marist Spirituality was produced to elaborate this spirituality. This includes the spirituality of presence, spirituality of dialogue, kenoric spirituality (empty-ing) and spirituality of reconciliation and harmony. Various activities on formation of Lay partners and Brothers were done during this year with a hope that this apostolic spirituality is being lived as followers of Saint Marcellin Champagnat.

Locally, the Champagnat Movement for Marist Family (CMMF) here at Notre Dame of Kidapawan College celebrated the vigil feast day in honor of Saint Marcellin Champagnat. A para-liturgy and sharing of experiences were done with so much inspiration from the founder and from the Brothers whom they worked and still working with as Mission Partners. We reflected

Diamond Jubilee of Marist presence in the Philippines

Today, feast day of the founder, the Diamond Jubilee celebration is launched here in the Philippines. Sixty years of Marist presence is indeed a grace from God’s faithfulness to the people, especially the least favored here in the Philippines. The first four Marist Brothers left New York in 1948 to start the new mission here in Mindanao through the invitation of Bishop Gerard Mongeau of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Fathers who came here first. Brothers Joseph Damian Teston, Herbert Dumont, Edmund Paradis, and Peter Leonard, FMS took over Notre Dame of Cotabato Boys Department (NDC). Here are the highlights of Marist presence here in the Philippines:

• 1945 – Marist Brothers in US received appeal from Oblate Fathers
• 1947 – Br. Louis Omer Duprez, Provincial of the American Province flew to Cotabato to make an on-the-spot survey
• 1948 – Provincial Council called for volunteers; first four Brothers were Br. Maurus James Doherty, Br. Peter Leonard Thommen, Br. Humbert Damian Testion and Br. Herbert Daniel.
• 1948 – June 21, four Brothers arrived in Cotabato City
• 1950 – Brothers took over Notre Dame of Marbel Boys from the Oblate Fathers, Br. Edmund Paradis was appointed Director.
• 1952 – four Brothers with Br. Joesph Damian Teston as Director took over Notre Dame of Lagao, again from the Oblate Fathers; Bulol mission was started by Br. Herbert Daniel Dumont with the Oblate Fathers; first batch of Filipino aspirants were sent to Unites States: Domingo Bendero, Agustin Cabrera and Santiago Cabrera.
• 1953 – Notre Dame of Dadiangas was started; second group for US formation was sent: Fernando Armendez, Segio Dignadice, Santiago Sonza, Jaime Posadas.
• 1954 – Brothers took over Notre Dame of Kidapawan with Br. Maurus as the Director; third group to US were Mariano Buenavides, Isabelo Chaves, Delfin Riego de Dios and Nicomedes Conta
• 1955 – Brothers opened the College Department of Notre Dame of Marbel with Herbert Dumont as its first College Dean; fourth group for US formation: Sotero Amoloria Jr., Gabriel Bogacia, Antonio Cabangon, Augusto Obed, Eugenio Tajo.
• 1957 – marbel became the first site of the Juniorate program of the Brothers; Brotheres Robert Frederick Lafleur and Louis Omer Duprez were the two Masters of Juniors. Renato Cruz and Bernardo Ortouste were sent to US.
• 1958 – Brothers decided to separate the boys of Notre Dame of Kidapawan from the main campus to form the Boy’s department.
• 1959 – formation of Filipino aspirants be done in the Philippines; Brothers opened the College Department of Notre Dame of Dadiangas with Br. Patrick Nicholas Grogan as its first College Dean.
• 1960 – Brothers opened the College Department of Notre Dame of Kidapawan with Br. Norman Roy as its first College Dean; Tamontaka Novitiate was opened with Br. Louis Omer as the first Novice Master; Elementary department of Notre Dame of Dadiangas was opened with Br. Patrick Grogan was its first principal; Philippine became autonomous District with Br. Joesph Damian as the District Visitor.
• 1961 – first scholasticate building was constructed in lagao with Br. Bernard Curtin as the director and master; Elementary department at Notre Dame of Marbel College was opened as training ground for the BSEED students of the College, Br. Regis Xavier Creegan was the first principal.
• 1962 – Elementary department of Notre Dame of Kidapawan was opened with Br. Herbert Dumont as its first principal.
• 1964 – Brothers opened Marist School in Marikina; Scholasticate transferred to Marikina from Lagao.
• 1968 – Brothers administered Notre Dame of San Jose with Br. Damian as the first Director; Scholasticate was transferred to Marbel from Marikina.
• 1969 – Br. Herbert Dumont succeeded Br. Norman Roy as Provincial of the Vice Province.
• 1971 – Brothers took over the administration of San Isidro College in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
• 1972 – aspirants were separated from scholastics. Aspirancy was transferred to Lagao.
• 1973 – Silver Jubilee; Br. Leonard Sonza was the Provincial
• 1977 – Philippine Vice Province became a full-fledge autonomous province of the Institute.
• 1978 – Brothers administer Father Dueñas Memorial School in Agana, Guam, USA.
• 1984 – Brothers supervised San Lorenzo Ruis Academy in Polomolok.
• 1985 – Brothers decided to pull out from San Isidro College and turned over to Benedictine Sisters.
• 1987 – Br. Renato Cruz, then Assistant General was recalled to the Philippines to finish the term of Br. James McKnight as Provincial.
• 1988 – Brothers pulled out from Father Dueñas Memorial School; Marist Accompaniment program was started by Br. Ted Fernandez.
• 1989 – Br. Renato Cruz approved the publication of the Champagnat Comic books
• 1990 – january 16, Br. Renato Cruz begin his official term as Provincial.
• 1991 – Brothers undertook an alternative apostolate in Sinayawan, Valencia, Bukidnon; apostolate with street children was started by Br. Crispin Betita.
• 1992 – Marcellin House was formally opened; NDMU received its University status, Br. Eugene Tajo was the President; Marist Asian Center which became Marist Asia-Pacific Center was opened in Marikina.
• 1993 – first lay woman Dr. Leonor Pagunsan became the President of NDMU.
• 1994 – Brothers closed Sinayawan apostolate and transferred to Buda.
• 1997 – Br. Ted Fernandez succeeded Br. Renato Cruz as Provincial
• 1998 – 50th Jubilee of the Marist presence in the Philippines
• 2008 – 60th Jubilee of the Marist presence.

Different activities this Jubilee Year are expected this year. All the Marist Schools here in the Philippines will have their various activities united by one theme: “Loving Remembrance of the Past, Joyful Thanksgiving for the Present, Daring Commitment to the Future. Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD celebrated the Eucharist during the launching.