RMG – SDB Provinces: Mary Help of Christians Province, Philippines South (FIS)

07 February 2025

(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Province of Mary Help of Christians, Philippines South was canonically established on 31 May 1992. As of this year, 2025, the Philippines South (FIS) will be 33 years old, however, its work started in 1951, when there was still one Salesian Province for the entire country. To date, the FIS have thirteen houses in seven sites in Southern Philippines and two sites in Pakistan. Cebu City, having the most number of the houses, is the headquarters of the Province.

The first work to open in the area covered by the the province was the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Victorias, which was opened on 27 August 1952, followed on 29 September two years later by the Don Bosco Technological Centre in Punta Princesa, and the acceptance of the pastoral care of the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, also in Punta Princesa, on 27 January 1957 - a parish that also became an Archdiocesan Shrine in 2007.

Twenty years had to pass before we saw the start of another Salesian centre in the southern Philippines, which came on 19 February 1977, with the Talisay Formation Centre, near Cebu - a work that has also accommodated a retreat house since 1998. In 1979, the Pasil Formation and Youth Centre was established, also in Cebu, which today includesthe Santo Niño parish.

And 10 years later, on 1 February 1989 the St Louis’ school in Dumaguete and the Don Bosco Boys Home in Liloan, Cebu - joined by the parish as of 2012 - were opened simultaneously.

The first work opened after the canonical erection of FIS was on 7 July 1992 - the Salesian Centre in Murcia, which also became the Diocesan Shrine of St John Bosco on 18 January 2009. The Mati Formation Centre dates back to 1993, the first to be set up on the island of Mindanao, to which the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish was associated in 1998.

Since 1 June 1995, the Provincial House has been in Talamban, Cebu, and the work also includes a Technology Centre. 1998 saw the start of activities in Borongan, with a Formation Centre, and 2006 saw the opening of the Children's Home and Formation Centre in Dumangas.

Finally, in 2008, the FIS province began its activities abroad, starting the two presences in Pakistan, in Lahore, with a Youth and Technical Formation Centre, and in Quetta, with a Learning Centre.

The FIS have had the following as its Provincial Superiors:
1992 – 1998: +Fr Pietro G. Zago
1998 – 2003: Bishop Patricio A. Buzon
2003 – 2009: Fr Arturo A. Sanchez
2009 – 2015: +Fr George P. Militante
2015 – 2021: Fr Godofredo T. Atienza
2021 – current Fr Fidel Maria D. Orendain

The Philippines is one of the two countries in Southeast Asia (Timor-Leste is the other one) that is still largely Catholic, 85.7% as of 2020. It has the third largest number of Catholics in the world after Brazil and Mexico. The Philippines is also veryulnerable, worldwide, in terms of typhoons/storms.

Number of confreres and novices:
Brothers, Perpetually Professed, active in the ministry = 13
Priests active in the ministry 63
Total active members = 88

The various members of the Salesian Family in FIS Province are:
- Salesians of Don Bosco
- Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
- Women Volunteers of Don Bosco
- Association of Salesian Cooperators
- Association of Mary Help of Christians
- Association Damas Salesianas
- World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco

In terms of programs, the FIS have the following as the most relevant works:

Works with youth at risk:
- Boys’ Homes (2)
- Aftercare for Children in Conflict with the Law (1)
- Social Services

Works with youth at play and at prayer
- Youth Centers (13)
- Spirituality Centers (3)
- Campus Ministry

Works with youth in formation
- Seminaries: Aspirantate & Novitiate
- Schools (8)
- Parishes (7)

Works with youth at work
- Skills Training Centers (9)
- Corporate Ministry

In administrative terms, the FIS have Province-wide formal bodies such as:
• Youth Ministry Commission
• Social Communications
• Planning & Development Office (previously the Projects Office)
• Salesian Lay Volunteer Organization
• Center for Lay Adults and Youth

These offices are tightly organised, each with nomore than 3 members including the Salesian at the head. They carry out tasks that help the Province to reach its goal and objectives.

A short video illustrating the Salesian mission carried out in the FIS Province by the Salesians of Don Bosco together with the Salesian Family, many lay people and young people, is available on ANSChannel.

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