By: Nito Meneses

The Baguio-La Union District of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary or CICM will spearhead a launching and opening program on November 28, 2006 at Saint Louis University's Bonifacio main campus to signal the start of the year-long celebration of the 100 years of CICM missionary work in the Philippines particularly commemorating that momentous event when the CICM pioneers first set foot on Philippine soil in 1907. The celebration starts on November 28, 2006 and culminates on November 28, 2007 .

The centennial anniversary bearing the theme ”100 Years of CICM Missionary Presence in the Philippines : Remembrance and Revitalization” aims to increase the awareness of people about CICM past and present engagements as well as to express gratitude to the people and communities for the opportunity to do its mission. The centennial is a time to revitalize missionary spirituality among CICM confreres and mission partners; to intensify and renew mission and vocation animation; and, to shape a dynamic future direction of CICM in the Philippines .

Various activities will be held at the SLU Bonifacio main campus park and grounds starting at 8:00 o'clock in the morning. These will include a e ucharistic celebration, a ceremonial tree planting, the opening of the CICM exhibit at the Diego Silang building lobby, opening of fun and food booths, a cultural show, the CICM quiz, on-the-spot painting competition, launching of the Northern Luzon Research Journal, a band concert, and an interaction of delegates from the CICM stations at CCA-C013. The contests winners will be awarded later in the afternoon.

Earlier on November 18, the CICM centennial music festival will be held at the CCA theater at 2 p.m. On November 27, there will be a special staging of the musical play "Nine Fathers" also at the CCA theater at 5:30 p.m. for SLU's guests and visitors.

The SLU Laboratory Elementary School has likewise lined up activities such as extemporaneous speaking, poster making, film viewing, quiz bee, role-playing and creative group singing. The Laboratory High School will also hold a program highlighting the CICM legacy, centennial games and film viewing.

CICM was born not knowing exactly what lies ahead. Their only assurance was their missionary zeal and God's providence. In 1862, a group of Belgian diocesan priests led by Fr. Theophile Verbist was deeply concerned and had the ardent desire to help the orphans as well as those who lived in ignorance and poverty in China . The founding fathers never imagined that many would follow their footsteps notwithstanding the cost of travel by sea and the harsh conditions in the hinterlands of China . Thus, the CICM was founded on November 28, 1862 .

On November 2, 1907 the first batch of nine pioneer CICM missionaries composed of priests and a brother arrived in the Philippines . They were Superior Peter Dierickx, Florimond Carlu, Albert Dereume, Seraphin Devesse, Constant Jurgens, Jules Sepulchre, Oktaaf Vandewalle, Henri Verbeeck, and Christiaan Hulsbosch (brother) . Albert Botty and Herman Ramaekers followed three weeks later. They started setting up mission stations i n Baguio City , Bauko and Cervantes. From then on and across a span of almost 100 years now, the story of CICM has been inextricably linked with the history and evolution of the Church in the Philippines.

CICM has grown into an international religious missionary congregation of men from different races and nationalities who are dedicated to universal brotherhood. As missionaries, they consider it their charism and vocation to give testimony to Christ's universal love among peoples of other cultures and nationalities. Today, about 1,000 priests and brothers of CICM are present in Asia , Africa , Americas and Europe .

The launching and opening program of the CICM Baguio-La Union district centennial celebration will be managed by a committee composed of Fr. Geraldo Costa, Fr. John Kanyinda, Mrs. Guillerma Licudine, Ms. Geraldine Sanil, Dr. Roberto Arguelles, Engr. Angel Peralta, Mrs. Rebecca Nulud, Mr. Andrew Macalma, Mr. Melchor Pablico and Mr. Francisco Agoot.

The CICM-SLU centennial committee in the Baguio-La Union district is composed of Fr. Geraldo Costa (district coordinator), Mr. Gil Espiritu (caravan/pilgrimage), Engr. Angel Peralta (DVD/video presentation/website), Dr. Carlos Medina (documentation), Mrs. Rebecca Nulud (program), Mr. Marianito Meneses (publicity/promotion), Ms. Grace Ramos (short stories/anecdotes) and Fr. Neil Sta. Ana (exhibit).

The overall CICM-RP Centennial Executive Committee is composed of Fr. Pedro Peñaranda (chairman), Fr. Mark Lesage, Fr. Neil Sta. Ana, Dr. Carlos Medina, Mrs. Rebecca Nulud, Mr. John Tayaban and Mr. Epee Casuncad.