Charles Joseph Eugène de Mazenod -founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary

Immaculate was born in Aix-en-Provence in southern France in August 1 1782.

French Revolution of 1791, St. Eugene, then a child, was forced to leave the country along with
his parents.

1802, St. Eugene returned to France.

Good Friday, he experienced a radical transformation before an image of the crucified Jesus,
and once again felt a call to devote his entire life to God and to priestly ministry.

he formed the Missionaries of Provence in January 25, 1816 – a group of priests who
devoted themselves with great zeal to the goal of saving souls. 

February 17, 1826, this religious community was officially recognized by Pope Leo XII as the
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Fr. Ulric Arcand, MEP met missionary bishop of Zamboanga Rev. Luis del Rosario, S.J

- told missionary congregation, OMI -need for priest in Mindanao

Its vast mission in Canada - june 4, 1933 installed as bishop of Zamboanga

-Known for pioneering works

March 14, 1939 – invitation was made by the holy see asking the oblates to accept the mission in
cotabato and sulu

March 25, 1939- congregation answered in the affirmative.

Fr. Gerard Mongeau, OMI – chose by Superior General

- French- Canadian
- Superior of the De Mazenod Scholaticate in San Antonio, Texas

Frs. Emile Buldoc, Egide Beaudoin, George Dion – Oblates from the Franco-American province

Frs. Joseph Boyd, Cuthbert Billman, Francis McSorley- Oblates from the American province.

September 25, 1939 – first group landed in Manila are: Fr. Gerard Mongeau, Emile Buldoc, Egide
Beaudoin, George Dion

- Fr. George Dion 28th birthday

October 26, 1939 – second group landed in Philippines are: Frs. Joseph Boyd, Cuthbert Billman, Francis
McSorley.

Fr. Ulric Arcand, Gerard Mongeau, Egide Beaudoin –set out the final leg of their missionary journey to
Jolo and Cotabato.

The first batch of Missionaries landed in Zamboanga Welcomed by Bishop Luis del Rosario, S.J

The next stop is Jolo.

Fr. Emile Buldoc – installed as pastor by Bishop Luis del Rosario, S.J

- First oblate parish priest In the country

- First in the oblate missions

Fr. George Dion – assistant pastor

Fr. Cuthbert Billman – given a wandering assignment, travelling around the Island of Sulu archipelago
ministering to the handful Christians who were to be found there.

Frs. Gerard Mongeau, Joseph Boyd, Francis McSorley, Egide Beaudoin– belong to the community of
cotabato

Fr. Gerard Mongeau- assumed the role pastor in the town of Cotabato

Fr. Joseph Boyd – take care of settlements along the southern coast of the province.

Fr. Francis McSorley- cover the entire Koronadal Valley area where he would work mainly with the
settlers who were pouring in there by the hundreds every week.

Fr. Egide Beaudoin- devote his attention to the needs of the people in and around Midsayap As far as
Kidapawan

December 1941- other missionaries were received from the US.

1940- Frs. Baynes, Gordon, Laquerre, Quinn, Aheehan, Drone and Bro. Barun (BGLQADB)

-came to beef up the original seven pioneers.

1941- Frs. Burke, Mcmahon, Sullivan, and Clancy (BMSC)

-arrived in Philippines in spite of the war clouds beginning to build up on the horizon