The Jesuit Bukidnon Mission District

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

Welcome to the new website of the Jesuit Bukidnon Mission District!

In this day and age where electronic media has gained an even greater prominence in how we communicate with each other, we hope that this website will ensure not only better and faster communication but an even greater appreciation of the importance and impact of the mission that we do here in this part of the Philippines.

The Jesuits currently assigned here in the Bukidnon Mission District (BMD) stand on the shoulders of previous Jesuit missionaries who generations ago have given so much of themselves in order to take care of the pastoral and temporal needs of the people assigned to their care. We continue to do so with the same zeal and passion. 

While much has been accomplished, the challenges in the mission areas continue and it is our firm belief that more can still be done especially with your generosity and support. We hope that this website will enable you to have a first- hand look of the faces, places and situation that the Jesuits in the mission district helps and accompany. 

May the good Lord bless and protect you and your loved ones most especially in this time that we have to face a world-wide crisis! 

Fraternally yours in Christ,

Fr. Richard V. Ella, SJ

Mission Superior

About the Jesuit Province Roadmap in Mindanao

We the Philippine Jesuits have a long history, tradition, and presence in Mindanao, and our Province Roadmap sustains this commitment and responds to the urgent challenges that Mindanao faces. Over the last three decades, that Roadmap has been undergoing changes, rethinking, and re-direction.  

We harness and maximize our apostolic presence and impact in Mindanao through our three universities (Xavier University, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University), one diocesan seminary (St. John Vianney Theological Seminary), one mission district (the Bukidnon Mission composed of parishes, high schools, retreat house and indigenous peoples ministry), and one environmental science institute (Environmental Science for Social Change). 

We strive to engage in awareness-raising, immersion, and capability building activities on the Mindanao situation and realities to be participated in by our Jesuit formandi, members, lay mission partners, constituencies and networks; to be done in the spirit of journeying together with peoples and communities of Mindanao, and fostering mutually-beneficial engagements.

In Bukidnon, these are our mission stations (see map above):

• Cabanglasan parish and high school
• Miarayon parish and high school
• Pangantucan high school
• Zamboanguita parish and high school
• Malaybalay Jesuit Retreat House

With seed funding from the Philippine Jesuit Foundation, the Bukidnon Mission Jesuits in 2017 have established a college scholarship program called Kapawa hu Paglaum (Light of Hope). Our ten-year goal is to journey and empower at least 100 indigenous youth to eventually become their tribes’ leaders by providing them quality education and holistic formation. 

We seek assistance to fund our current needs for 16 scholars in school year 2020-21 (6 allowance based; 7 subsidized, and 3 fully funded):

- Allowance based per SY: $400 per scholar; $2,400 total for 6 scholars

- Subsidized per SY:  $1,000 per scholar; $7,000 total for 7 scholars

- Fully funded per SY: $2,225 per scholar; $6,675 total for 3 scholars

- Total requirement for SY 2020-21: $16,075 (Php804K)

The mission parishes have about 80 multi-purpose chapels on the Bukidnon highlands. They also serve as literacy and catechism centers. Many are in dire need of repair. Renovation runs about P25K each, while a new chapel of sturdy, low-cost materials will cost about P50K.  

Financial assistance is requested for the administrative, kitchen and maintenance personnel at the JRH, who have been severely affected by the significant reduction of retreat activities brought about by the pandemic. 

We are grateful for the generosity of the Mary the Queen Parish of Greenhills in San Juan, MM. Their ardent support of the mission has made possible the continued funding of scholarships for the mission high schools as well as the construction and repair of school infrastructures.