The Philippine Foundation
The Eudist Fathers came to the Philippines to begin their first foundation in Asia at the invitation of Msgr. Luis Antonio Tagle, the Bishop of Imus (Cavite) in 2006. Bishop Tagle asked us to use our charism in his diocese to assist in the formation of seminarians, the ongoing formation of priests, and eventually the formation of lay ministers. Our current challenge is to respond to this invitation and discover the ways that our charism can serve the Church in the Philippines.
Right now, we are involved in the formation of the two seminaries of the Diocese, the Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary for seminarians in college; and the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, for seminarians in their theological studies. Our priests work there as resource persons on spirituality and as spiritual directors. They also teach at the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay City and at La Sallete Seminary in Silang, Cavite. Fr. Ron Bagley, the superior of the community and the rector of the formation house, also provides spiritual direction and serves as a resource person at the St. John Mary Vianney Gallilee Development and Retreat Center for Priests, a pioneering development institution for clerics founded by Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). All of our priests also serve as chaplains for the Religious of the Good Shepherd and the Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd communities in Tagaytay while finding time to help other religious congregations as well.
Looking forward to strengthening the foundation of the congregation in the Philippines, a formation house shall be opened in Metro Manila in 2012.
