CICM PIONEER MISSIONARIES IN THE PHILIPPINES (NORTHERN LUZON)
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM)
was invited to assist the Philippine Church in addressing a severe shortage of priests due to
political and religious turmoil following the American colonial takeover. Msgr. Ambrosius
Agius, Papal Delegate to the Philippines, appealed to Rev. Fr. Adolf Van Hecke, CICM Superior
General, to send missionaries to the country.
After careful deliberation on the standing request from the Philippine Church and diligent
reconnaissance of the proposed mission territories for the CICM to take care of the Diocese of
Nueva Segovia (Vigan), namely, Nueva Vizcaya, Lepanto-Bontoc, and Benguet (since
reportedly there was only one priest serving these places with then over 150,000 inhabitants), the
CICM sent its first caravan of nine missionaries to the Philippines who arrived in Manila on
November 2, 1907. The pioneer CICM missionaries sent to the Philippines Jules Sepulchre,
Albert Dereume, Christian Hulsbosch, Seraphine Devesse, Henri Verbeeck, Constant
Jurgens, Octaaf Vandewalle, Pieter Dierickx, and Florimond Carlu.
From Manila, they traveled to their respective assignments, dividing into two groups—one
heading toward Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, which served as the gateway to the Mountain Provinces,
and the other moving toward Baguio, Benguet, which became their mission center. These
missionaries endured treacherous mountain trails, harsh weather conditions, and linguistic
barriers as they worked to spread the mission work and improve the lives of the indigenous and
lowland communities.
By April 9, 1909, the CICM Philippine Province was officially established, with “Home Sweet
Home” in Baguio, Benguet serving as its Provincial House, under the leadership of Fr. Henri
Raymakers. The missionaries primarily engaged in opening schools, building churches, and
promoting trade and livelihood opportunities, recognizing the need for both spiritual
guidance and economic stability in the region. However, World War II (1939-1945)
significantly disrupted the mission. Several CICM missionaries were imprisoned, killed, or
declared missing, while churches and schools were destroyed.
In 1944, Japanese forces seized and occupied "Home Sweet Home", using it as their
headquarters. Despite these hardships, CICM swiftly rebuilt and expanded after the war,
relocating the Provincial Headquarters to Quezon City in 1954, to better coordinate its
growing missionary activities.
By 1957, CICM’s influence had spread widely, overseeing 60 mission stations across the
Philippines.
While the mission is wide spread, there are CICM missionaries who focused their efforts in
Northern Luzon, particularly in Baguio, Benguet, Mountain Province, and Nueva Vizcaya.
Fr. Jules Sepulchre established the mission station in Bauko, Mountain Province, earning
immense respect among locals, with some adopting his surname. Unfortunately, he succumbed
to a treacherous fever in 1912, and his remains are interred at Sta. Rita Church, Bontoc, with
an inscription that reads: "Deo templum, sibi sepulchrum aedificavit", meaning “He built a
temple for God and a sepulchre for himself.”
Fr. Constant Jurgens, the only Dutchman among the pioneers, made invaluable contributions to
Bontoc and Nueva Vizcaya, initially constructing a dormitory for boys, which later evolved
into a school offering Christian education. He also played an essential role in the foundation of
Saint Mary’s University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. His dedication to catechism led him
to publish the Ilocano-language Christian doctrine, titled "Katekismo ti Doctrina Kristiana,"
which became widely used for religious instruction.
Fr. Octaaf Vandewalle, who served in Baguio, Bayombong, Solano, Bontoc, and Tagudin,
was appointed the first Apostolic Prefect of Mountain Province in 1933. Since Catholic
education was not yet widely available in public schools, he personally taught students and
preached to locals whenever possible. To help struggling farmers, he worked with the mayor of
Bayombong to co-found the Bayombong Farmers Association, aiming to stabilize agricultural
production and enhance community welfare.
Fr. Seraphin Devesse, the youngest among the pioneers, transformed the Catholic presence in
Baguio City, constructing St. Patrick Church, which later became Baguio Cathedral, one of
the city’s most iconic landmarks today. He also established St. Vincent Church in Campo
Filipino and provided a great contribution founding Saint Louis University, which remains one
of the leading educational institutions in Northern Luzon. Tragically, Fr. Devesse was executed
by Japanese forces during World War II, along with Fr. Laurent Decaestecker, while serving
as parish priest in Santiago, Isabela.
Fr. Henri Verbeeck initiated the CICM mission in La Trinidad, Benguet, where he became
the first parish priest of San Jose Parish, focusing on strengthening community unity through
religious and educational programs.
Meanwhile, Fr. Albert Dereume, stationed in Itogon, Benguet, dedicated his efforts to
vocational education, supporting the working-class population by providing technical
training opportunities to uplift their livelihoods.
Beyond the pioneering missionaries, Fr. Morice Vanoverbergh, a CICM missionary who
arrived in 1909, spent decades studying and documenting the indigenous cultures of Northern
Luzon, particularly the Igorots and Negritos. His research in anthropology and linguistics
helped preserve their traditions and provided valuable insights into indigenous identity and
history. Over the years, CICM expanded its apostolate to include ministries for children with
special needs, recognizing the importance of inclusivity in its mission. Lay collaborators also
played vital roles in supporting CICM efforts.
One notable example was Paul Splingaerd, who served as the handyman and lay helper for
Fr. Verbist’s pioneering group in China. Today, CICM missionaries continue their work in
various dioceses across the Philippines, including the Diocese of Antipolo, Diocese of
Bacolod, Diocese of Baguio, Diocese of Bayombong, Archdiocese of Cebu, Diocese of
Butuan, Diocese of Cubao, Diocese of Ilagan, Diocese of Manila, Diocese of San Fernando
de La Union, Diocese of Novaliches, Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk, and Archdiocese of
Tuguegarao. Some CICM missionaries have ascended within the Catholic hierarchy, such as
Most Rev. Prudencio P. Andaya Jr., CICM, DD, Apostolic Vicar of Tabuk, while others
continue serving in foreign missions.
