On January 25, 2006, 5 Assumptionists began the foundation of the congregation in Manila. The 5 were: Fr. Bernard Holzer (France), Fr. Gilles Blouin (Canada), Fr. Jean-Marie Chuvi Adubangho (Democratic Republic of Congo, who died in Manila in 2014), Bro. Clemente Boleche (Philippines who left the Congregation) and Fr. Alex Castro (Philippines). The first community was obviously very international in composition. The members come from various generations. The Filipinos were temporarily professed while the foreigners are ordained priests. The foundation belonged to the Province of North America until the General Chapter of 2017 mandated its transfer to the new Province of Europe, especially under the new Vicariate of Asia-Oceania.
Prior to the establishment of the foundation, some American Assumptionists kept coming to the Philippines as retreat masters of the Religious of the Assumption (RA) who began their presence in the island-republic in 1892. Through the Sisters’ invitation and because of their friendship with the late Manila Cardinal Jaime Sin, the Assumptionists easily arrived in Manila in late 2005. They were initially housed in the convent of the RA in Makati City. The first 5 Assumptionists moved in 2006 to Loyola Heights in Quezon City and rented a house there. The community with its Superior Fr. Bernard Holzer chose January 25 (Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul) as the foundation date of the congregation in the Philippines.
This community welcomed candidates mostly referred by the RA. Some candidates stayed with the community, while some visited them on weekends. The foreigners began to study the national language, Filipino. The community began to explore the host parish, Our Lady of Pentecost, as well as its urban poor communities. It also started to link with institutions like Loyola School of Theology, Emmaus Center and University of Santo Tomas as well as associations like the former Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (presently known as Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines).
In 2007, the community transferred to a larger house in the same neighborhood. This time, the Congregation bought the house and the land on which the house is built. This is the present Adveniat House located at 17 Salvador Street in Varsity Hills, Loyola Heights in Quezon City. In the next months, some other Assumptionists joined the foundation, like Fr. Ricky Montañez (Philippines), the late Fr. Richard Brunelle (USA, who was a missionary in East Africa), as well as the late Leo Brassard (USA, who was a missionary in South Korea).
Meanwhile, as the Assumptionists set its mark in the country, Fr. Gilles and Fr. Ricky went to certain places especially where the RA are present to promote vocations especially to the Congregation. They made links with Order of Saint Augustine (OSA). Fr. Bernard, for his part, became active in the Asia-Pacific Augustinian Conference (APAC) and other similar groups. Fr. Alex worked in campus ministry, youth groups, groups of formators. Fr. Chuvi ministered to urban poor communities as he learned to speak the national language.
In 2008, the novitiate in the Philippines began with Fr. Richard as Novice Master. The novitiate community rented a house of the RA in Antipolo City within the Assumption School campus. This novitiate was closed in 2012 due to Fr. Richard’s failing health. The novitiate continued though in the USA in 2013. In 2015, the novitiate in the Philippines opened with the arrival of the new Novice Master Fr. Ngoa Ya-Tshihemba (Democratic Republic of Congo). He served as Novice Master until his election as Superior General in 2023. This Novitiate welcomed not only Filipinos but also Mexicans, South Koreans, Indians, Americans, Indonesians, a Salvadoran, a Nigerian and a Colombian as well.
In 2009, the congregation rented a house in nearby Marikina City for its Postulancy community. The late Fr. Chuvi was its first Superior. This Postulancy community started welcoming non-Filipinos like Chinese, Indians, South Koreans, Indonesian, Mexicans. It transferred to different houses in the metropolis a few times until it moved in 2021 to Digos City on the island of Mindanao where the Congregation manages its first parish in the country – Divine Mercy Parish which will soon become a shrine! The establishment of the formation-pastoral community marked the beginning of Assumptionist presence outside of Metro Manila.
In 2009, Kaloob was organized with the objective of helping build communities especially among the marginalized and those vulnerable or affected by disasters brough about by strong typhoons. Kaloob welcomed French volunteers to help the Brothers in this mission. Kaloob helped built communities in Cagayan Province in the northern part of the Philippines and in Tacloban City in the central part of the country. Through its scholarship programs, Kaloob helped over 30 students finished their studies. It embarked on a cow-raising project in Negros Oriental in central Philippines as well as in the Divine Mercy Parish in Digos City. Kaloob, in coordination with the Vocation Commission, used to organize Summer Camps for the youth and aspirants.
In the same year, the Assumption Language Center (now College) is born. It started in Adveniat House with less than 10 Chinese students to help them prepare for graduate studies in Theology and other similar fields. Because of the students’ need for board and lodging, Martin Yen House was built in the former garage of the Adveniat House. In 2012, due to its growing number of students, ALC moved to 11 Regidor Street in Varsity Hills. This property is the 2nd property of the Assumptionists in the Philippines. This is now known as Galabert House. And in 2023, ALC moved to a much bigger rented building in New Manila, Quezon City to accommodate a community of Assumptionists, provide more space for learning and more rooms for students wanting to have board and lodging.
In 2012, Bayard Philippines was established with the aim of spreading God’s reign through publications like Living With Christ, Living With Christ Kids/Bata, children’s books, books on the saints and sacraments. Bayard participates in the annual Manila International Book Fair. And recently, it embarked on sponsoring conferences for educators.
As heirs of the Venerable Emmanuel d’Alzon, the Assumptionists in the Philippines continue to spread the reign of God in many different ways in collaboration with lay people and other institutions in the midst of challenges!
Fr. Jay Lituanas, AA