SATMI:25 Years of Forming Missionaries for Asia and the World

The year 2013 marks the 25 years of existence of the Saint Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute since its founding in 1988. SATMI, located at the Redemptorist Community Bajada, Davao City is an institute run by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) which has been providing quality theological, pastoral and missiological education and formation for students for over twenty five years. For the past years the Institute has produced missionaries coming from not just the Philippines but from various countries in the Asia-Oceania Region which includes Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Fiji, Samoa, and Sri Lanka. It has also contributed to the education of lay students and religious brothers, priests and sisters coming from other participating congregations such as the Franciscans, Third Order Regular Friars,Cavanists, Marists, Missionaries of the Assumption, Trinitarian Sisters, etc. As the institute continues to venture forth in close partnership with the Ateneo de Davao University, it has indeed striven to perpetuating its mission of “forming missionaries for Asia and the World.”

Looking back at its humble beginnings, SAT-MI was formerly known as St. Alphonsus Theologate which was a Redemptorist Studendate catering to seminarians belonging to the then Vice-province of Cebu. One of the pillars of the institute noteworthy to mention was Fr. Abdon Maria Josol who did the pioneering work of carefully plotting the schedules of classes as well as communicating to would-be professors who would be willing to teach the seminarians. Fast-forward twenty five years: SAT has now evolved into SAT-MI, with the inclusion of an identity as a Mission institute. The Institute has also opened its doors to not just Redemptorist Filipino Students but that of Asia-Oceania, and even other religious congregations and practically to any lay person who is interested to learn about the fundamentals of our Christian faith. As it turns out, those twenty five years were years of growth under the ever-abiding presence of the Most Holy Redeemer himself who is Jesus!

With its 25 years of existence, SAT-MI has indeed quite a number of reasons to celebrate and be grateful for. The festive Jubilee celebrations of SAT-MI reached its peak this month of October. From October 20 to 27, SAT-MI launched a series of activities ranging from Eucharistic celebrations to Liguori Lectures (under the namesake of St. Alphonsus de Liguori who was a Doctor of the Church) on Moral Theology, Bioethics and Alphonsian Spirituality. The students along with the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Youth also showcased their pandora of talents and ethnic diversities through a lively and colorful Cultural Show held at the Redemptorist Gym. On the 26th, Most Rev. Virgilio David, Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando gave an enlightening jubilee talk regarding “New Evangelization in the light of the scriptures.” That same day, a Testimonial Dinner was held at the Davao Convention center during which founders, alumni, professors and faculty staff and students were given honorific citations and testimonies. The weeklong festivities highlighted the wonderful journey of the Saint AlphonsusTheologate which continues to blossom in its identity and mission.

It is quite a wonder what a journey it has been for SAT-MI. It continues to form and send missionaries that become catalysts of faith to Asia and the world. Yet it begs the question, “What will SAT-MI be like in the coming years?” For some, the answer may seem to be still unclear. Yet the Jubilee Celebrations seem to attest that everything’s going to be fine. Don’t worry, God is in charge—as it has always been since the beginning.