The Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonians) in the Philippines have renewed their commitment to continue the mission initiated by their founder, Venerable Fr. Leo John Dehon, as the congregation marks the 100th anniversary of his passing this year.
Fr. Niño Etulle, SCJ, Superior of the Dehonian Philippine Region, emphasized that the commemoration goes beyond a historical remembrance.
“This is a remembrance of his death and a tribute to God’s fidelity, love, and grace. It is an invitation to continue the mission in places where no one wishes to go, to share the love and mercy of God, especially to the wounded,” Fr. Etulle said in an interview with DZRV.
He further noted, “Every Dehonian celebrates, rejoices, and is full of hope as they carry forward Fr. Dehon’s mission, especially in reaching out to communities most in need.”
The Dehonian charism is rooted in love and reparation, drawn from the wounded Heart of Christ. Their spirituality is expressed through devotion to the Eucharist, fraternal unity, and humble service to the poor, all offered to the Father in the spirit of Mary.
Fr. Dehon established the congregation in 1878 in Saint-Quentin, France, motivated by his concern for workers and the oppressed. Originally known as the Oblates of the Sacred Heart, the group was reorganized in 1884 as the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ) after facing early challenges. In 1888, Pope Leo XIII granted it official recognition.
Since then, the congregation has expanded its apostolate to education, parish service, youth formation, social justice advocacy, and deep devotion to the Eucharist and reparation.
At present, the Dehonians serve in more than 40 countries, including the Philippines, where they continue Fr. Dehon’s mission of bringing God’s love and reconciliation to the poor, the wounded, and the marginalized.
Fr. Leo John Dehon died on August 12, 1925, in Brussels, leaving behind a legacy of faith and service that continues to inspire Dehonians worldwide.
In the Philippines, the SCJ ministers in parishes within the dioceses of Novaliches, Antipolo, Pagadian, Ipil, Maasin, and the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. Their mission also extends beyond parish work, as they care for children who are victims of sexual abuse a concrete expression of their commitment to serving the most vulnerable.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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