The Story ofTHE SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD (SVD)in the PhilippinesGo and invite everyone to the banquet.”Matthew 22:9
THE BEGINNINGof the MissionThe story of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in the Philippines began in August 1909, when the Catholic Church in the country was in need of more missionaries to serve the faithful. Responding to this urgent call, the Society of the Divine Word sent its first missionaries to the Philippines.Their arrival marked the beginning of a mission dedicated to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the Catholic faith, and serving communities through education and pastoral care.“Go and invite everyone to the banquet.”– Matthew 22:91
2THE FIRSTMissionariesOn August 15, 1909, Fr. Ludwig (Luis) Beckert and Fr. Juan Scheiermann arrived in Manila aboard the SS Koblenz after traveling through Hong Kong. A week later, they reached Bangued, Abra, with Bishop James Carroll of Vigan, where they immediately began their missionary work.Their courage and dedication in answering God’s call laid the foundation for the SVD mission in the Philippines.Bangued, AbraThe beginning of the SVD mission in Northern Luzon.“Go and make disciples of all nations.”SS KoblenzAugust 22, 1909Fr. Ludwig (Luis) BeckertFr. Juan Scheiermann- Matthew 28:19
333TRIALS ANDTRIALS ANDTRIALS ANDNew Hope In January 1910, the mission faced its first and greatest challenge when Fr. Juan Scheiermann died of typhoid fever. His sudden passing left Fr. Beckert alone to continue the mission in Abra. It was a heartbreaking moment for the small community, but their faith in God remained stronger than their sorrow.The Society of the Divine Word, however, did not allow this tragedy to stop its work. Later that same year, four more missionaries arrived in the Philippines to strengthen and support the growing mission. They were Fr. Miguel Hergesheler, Fr. Joseph Stigler, Fr. Philip Beck, and Fr. Bruno Drescher. Together, they renewed the mission with courage, unity, and hope.A mission tested, but not defeated.Fr. Juan Scheiermann (4 January 1910)“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”Fr. Miguel HergsheierFr. Bruno Drescher- Matthew 5:4THE FOUR NEW MISSIONARIESTHE FOUR NEW MISSIONARIESTHE FOUR NEW MISSIONARIESFr. Joseph StiglerFr. Philip Beck
4GROWTHin Abra The mission continued to expand in 1912 with the arrival of the first SVD brothers, Bro. Patricio Grabsch and Bro. Ulrich Meyer, together with Fr. Henry Buerschen, Fr. Teodoro Buttenbruch, and Fr. Francis Blasczyk. Their coming brought new strength and dedication to the growing community. With their shared commitment, the missionaries continued to bring God’s Word to more people and build a strong foundation for the mission in Northern Luzon. During this period, Tayum, Abra became the residence of the SVD community and served as an important center for missionary activities in the region. The heart of the SVD mission in Northern Luzon.The first missionaries who served in Abra, 1912.“Let us not be satisfied with only loving God, let us also love our neighbor.”"Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation."Tayum, Abra—St. Annel JansenThe SVD Residence in Tagum, Abra—Mark 16:13
MISSION REACHESMindoroIn January 1922, the Society of the Divine Word accepted the mission of Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro. Recognizing that education is an important part of evangelization, the missionaries invited the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpsS) to establish a school for the children of Lubang.This led to the founding of Stella Maris School. What began as a small elementary school grew through the years, despite financial struggles, limited resources, and many challenges. In 1937, Stella Maris opened its high school department, becoming the first Catholic private secondary school in Lubang and a beacon of hope for the island community.Lubang Island, Occidental MindoroA new mission, a new beginning.Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro (circa 1920s)"Education is an instrument of evangelization and a means of promoting human dignity.”"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”— St. Arnold JanzonStella Marie School, Lubang Island— Proverbs 22:65
6A NEW MISSIONTerritoryA major milestone came in May 1934, when the entire island of Mindoro was officially entrusted to the Society of the Divine Word as a mission territory through a papal decree. This marked a significant expansion of the SVD's missionary responsibility in the Philippines. The missionaries traveled across the island, establishing parishes, schools, and mission stations. They reached out to Christian communities and indigenous Peoples, learning their languages and respecting their cultures. Their work focused not only on preaching the Gospel but also on promoting education, healthcare, and social development to uplift the lives of the people.Mindoro Island (circa 1930s)"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."MAY 1934The island of Mindoro was entrusted to the Society of the Divine Word as a mission territory through a papal decree."Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."One of the early parishes established in Mindoro.- Matthew 28:19- Matthew 5:16
7CONTINUING THEMissionAs the years passed, the SVD continued to establish schools, seminars, and mission centers throughout the Philippines. The congregation became deeply involved in the formation of Filipino priests, the education of young people, and missionary outreach in remote communities. Through their presence and service, many lives were transformed—faith was deepened, communities were uplifted, and hope was brought to places that had little. Eventually, the SVD became one of the largest missionary congregations serving the Catholic Church in the country, faithfully carrying the Gospel to all.Divine Word Seminar, Tagaytay (circa 1960s)"The harvest is abundant but the labors are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." — Matthew 9:37-38Educating mind and heart.Bringing the Gospel to the farthest and the least."I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."– John 10:10
8A LASTINGLegacyOne of the institutions founded through the efforts of the SVD and the SSPS in Lubang, Stella Maris School, continued serving generations of students for many decades. However, after the 1995 earthquake, its old school building was declared unsafe and condemned. Although the building was affected, the legacy of the school and the missionary work of the SVD remained alive through the people whose lives had been transformed by Christian education and service.Stella Maris School, Lubang (circa 1960s)Alumni: A living testament of Christian education"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9Stella Maris School todayThe old school building before the 1995 earthquakeStudents through the years
THE SVDTodayFrom the arrival of only two missionsaries in 1909, the Society of the Divine Word steadily grew into one of the most influential missionary congregations in the Philippines. Through perseverance, sacrifice, education, and evangelization, the SVD helped strengthen the Catholic faith, formed future leaders, established schools and seminaries, and brought the Gospel to many parts of the country, especially in mission areas such as Abra and Mindoro.SVDProclaiming the Gospel, Strengthening communities.Bringing the Gospel to the poor and the marginalized."Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."– Matthew 28:19–20Marian presence in Abra and Mindoro and beyond.Forming hearts.Preparing missionaries.Educating minds. Building the future.SVD Priests: Living and proclaiming the Word.9
10TriviaThe SVD’s Philippine story is wider than “they came, they preached.” Three journey trivia you won’t hear at the seminary tour:Faith, Mission, Presence, Then, Now, Always.Early SVD presence in the Philippines.They weren’t supposed to start in the Philippines at allSt. Arnold Jansen founded the SVD in 1875 for non- Christian missions. China and New Guinea were the goal. But after the Spanish friars left post-1898 and the Philippine Church had a priest shortage, the SVD pivoted. They arrived in Bangued, Abra in 1909 to fill the gap, making the Philippines their first Asian mission field instead.Their first legal win came from the Americans, not the ChurchIn 1912 the U.S. colonial government gave the SVD formal legal recognition, basically making them an official institution overnight. That same year Fr. Wilhelm Finnemann became the first SVD bishop in the Philippines. Without that paperwork, they couldn’t own land or run schools.The 1933 Quezon City seminary was a counter-moveChrist the King Mission Seminary on España Blvd Extension wasn’t just for training priests. It was built deliberately to counter the rise of the “Iglesia Filipina Independiente”, the Philippine Independent Church that split from Rome in 1902. The SVD wanted to grow Filipino clergy fast so the Church wouldn’t lose ground.Answering the call, Living the mission.Rooted in faith, built for the future.Bonus:Today there are 500+ Filipino SVDs, and about 140 of them are missionaries outside the Philippines, flipping the original direction. SVDs now bring Filipino spirituality to 80 countries.123
Faith in Action,Mission Without EndFor more than a century, the Society of the Divine Word has faithfully proclaimed God's Word through education, evangelization, and service. Their mission continues to inspire every generation to become witnesses of Christ's love.SVDAd Gentes — To the Nations.SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD