In 1992, Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P., D.D., of Caceres invited the Missionaries of the Poor to officially establish
their second overseas mission in Naga City, Philippines. A year later, the Missionaries of the Poor, pioneered by Fr. Brian
Kerr, M.O.P. and Brother Maximo Medina, M.O.P., arrived in Manila, Philippines on September 28, 1993, the Feast Day of
San Lorenzo Ruiz - the first Filipino Saint.
their second overseas mission in Naga City, Philippines. A year later, the Missionaries of the Poor, pioneered by Fr. Brian
Kerr, M.O.P. and Brother Maximo Medina, M.O.P., arrived in Manila, Philippines on September 28, 1993, the Feast Day of
San Lorenzo Ruiz - the first Filipino Saint.
They proceeded to Naga City and began their ministry among the poorest in the Bicol region. Their preliminary works
among the poor consisted of
- Visiting the indigent and poor families in San Rafael squatter and relocation site, bringing them food, clothing, medicines
and companionship and pastoral care.
- Visiting and catechizing the shut-ins and scavengers at the City Dump Site in Balatas and providing them both the corporal
and spiritual works of mercy.
- Hopital visitations and hands-on work among the sick patients at Bicol Medical Center and the mentally-ill inmates at the Regional Mental Hospital in Cadlan, Pili.
among the poor consisted of
- Visiting the indigent and poor families in San Rafael squatter and relocation site, bringing them food, clothing, medicines
and companionship and pastoral care.
- Visiting and catechizing the shut-ins and scavengers at the City Dump Site in Balatas and providing them both the corporal
and spiritual works of mercy.
- Hopital visitations and hands-on work among the sick patients at Bicol Medical Center and the mentally-ill inmates at the Regional Mental Hospital in Cadlan, Pili.
From this humble beginning, this MOP mission in Naga City - named Heart of Mercy Mission and dedicated to the Sacred
Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ - has grown tremendously and has given birth to other missions in Cebu in 2004 and in
Manila this year, 2011. Since then the Philippines has provided the most vocations to the Institute such that today over 40%
of all professed members of the community are from the Philippines. Many of these are now missionaries serving in our MOP missions around the world such as in Jamaica, Haiti, USA, Africa and Indonesia. Likewise the Philippines missions have had the
joy of welcoming several missionaries - both Filipinos and non-Filipinos. As for the leadership of MOP in the Philippines, Fr.
Brian Kerr, MOP (Jamaican) was the pioneering superior who stayed here for ten (10) years from 1993 to 2003, followed by
Fr. Charles Ma. Susai Arumaiselvam, M.O.P. (Indian) from 2003 to 2006. He was succeeded by Fr. Kulandairaj Ambrose, MOP, (Jamaican) in April 2006 up to the present. At the 3rd General Chapter of our institute held in Jamaica last October 2010,
regions were created for better governance. The Philippines region included the new mission in Flores, Indonesia
(May 2010), and Fr. Ambrose is the First Regional Superior of this region. The Heart of Mercy Mission in Naga City is the
regional base.
Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ - has grown tremendously and has given birth to other missions in Cebu in 2004 and in
Manila this year, 2011. Since then the Philippines has provided the most vocations to the Institute such that today over 40%
of all professed members of the community are from the Philippines. Many of these are now missionaries serving in our MOP missions around the world such as in Jamaica, Haiti, USA, Africa and Indonesia. Likewise the Philippines missions have had the
joy of welcoming several missionaries - both Filipinos and non-Filipinos. As for the leadership of MOP in the Philippines, Fr.
Brian Kerr, MOP (Jamaican) was the pioneering superior who stayed here for ten (10) years from 1993 to 2003, followed by
Fr. Charles Ma. Susai Arumaiselvam, M.O.P. (Indian) from 2003 to 2006. He was succeeded by Fr. Kulandairaj Ambrose, MOP, (Jamaican) in April 2006 up to the present. At the 3rd General Chapter of our institute held in Jamaica last October 2010,
regions were created for better governance. The Philippines region included the new mission in Flores, Indonesia
(May 2010), and Fr. Ambrose is the First Regional Superior of this region. The Heart of Mercy Mission in Naga City is the
regional base.
Apostolate
The apostolate of the MOP includes shelter and care for homeless, abandoned and the unwanted children, disabled and
elderly, and to provide social and pastoral assistance to the indigent and needy.
1. Shelter and residential care for homeless/abandoned children, disabled and elderly:
The Divine Mercy Apostolate Center of the
Missionaries of the Poor in San Rafael, Cararayan,
Naga City is a home for 150 disabled, mentally-ill
and elderly homeless persons. This includes
special children and children with multiple-
disabilities. While most of these residents come
from the Bicol region, there are some who are from
other parts of the country such as Manila,
Quezon and Baguio. At this Center, they
find and form a family with other residents and the
MOP Brothers and lay volunteers. Activities at the
Center include daily prayer, physical exercise and
physiotherapy, garden and house-chores, and
recreation. A good percentage of our population at
the Center receives regular medication for mental
illness and other illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy, hypertension, etc.
Missionaries of the Poor in San Rafael, Cararayan,
Naga City is a home for 150 disabled, mentally-ill
and elderly homeless persons. This includes
special children and children with multiple-
disabilities. While most of these residents come
from the Bicol region, there are some who are from
other parts of the country such as Manila,
Quezon and Baguio. At this Center, they
find and form a family with other residents and the
MOP Brothers and lay volunteers. Activities at the
Center include daily prayer, physical exercise and
physiotherapy, garden and house-chores, and
recreation. A good percentage of our population at
the Center receives regular medication for mental
illness and other illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy, hypertension, etc.
Elderly Homeless
Rolando is one of the elderly men at our Divine Mercy Apostolate Center. When Bro.
Jose found him roaming the streets in Centro begging for food, he was dirty and
smelly. It was clear that he hadn't taken a bath for several months. His hair was also
long, sticky and unkempt. As soon as he arrived at our Center, the Brothers gave him
a good bath, cut his hair and finger nails and put new clothes on him. He looked a
different man! Rolando says he has family but he can no longer remember where they
are. In any case, they didn't want him around after he suffered a stroke, so he ended
up begging and sleeping in the streets. He is happy that he has found a home and
people who care for him.
Jose found him roaming the streets in Centro begging for food, he was dirty and
smelly. It was clear that he hadn't taken a bath for several months. His hair was also
long, sticky and unkempt. As soon as he arrived at our Center, the Brothers gave him
a good bath, cut his hair and finger nails and put new clothes on him. He looked a
different man! Rolando says he has family but he can no longer remember where they
are. In any case, they didn't want him around after he suffered a stroke, so he ended
up begging and sleeping in the streets. He is happy that he has found a home and
people who care for him.
The Disabled
A good number of our residents at the Center are mentally or
physically challenged. The mentally-ill are one of the most
neglected and marginalized sectors of the population due to the
high cost associated with their medical care. Conditions at
psychiatric ward of the state-run regional hospital are deplorable.
Moreover, with lack of medication and proper care, they get
more violent and their mental condition worsens. At our Center,
with proper medication and regular visits from the psychiatric
doctor, along with the care given them, they live fairly peaceful lives.
physically challenged. The mentally-ill are one of the most
neglected and marginalized sectors of the population due to the
high cost associated with their medical care. Conditions at
psychiatric ward of the state-run regional hospital are deplorable.
Moreover, with lack of medication and proper care, they get
more violent and their mental condition worsens. At our Center,
with proper medication and regular visits from the psychiatric
doctor, along with the care given them, they live fairly peaceful lives.
Special Children
At our Divine Mercy Apostolate Center, we take care of special
children who are homeless or abandoned, or whose families are just too poor to give them
the special care they deserve.
These two children in the picture at right - Jolo (L) and Melchor (R) - are the newest
arrivals at the Center.
Jolo is 1 year old. His twin brother died of malnutrition, and so his mother - a jobless widow with 7 other children to look after - afraid that Jolo might also die, gave him to
us. He is slowly responding to the care given to him at the Center.
Melchor is 1 year and 4 months old. He was given to the Center by the Department
of Social Welfare and Development. He was abandoned and suffers from a congenital heart disorder.
Jolo is 1 year old. His twin brother died of malnutrition, and so his mother - a jobless widow with 7 other children to look after - afraid that Jolo might also die, gave him to
us. He is slowly responding to the care given to him at the Center.
Melchor is 1 year and 4 months old. He was given to the Center by the Department
of Social Welfare and Development. He was abandoned and suffers from a congenital heart disorder.
The Little Angels Section of the
Divine Mercy Apostolate Center is
lively with 30 babies and small
children who have
multiple-disabilities. Many of
them come to us severely
malnourished, even to the point of
near-death as in the case of
Johnrey, Jolo, and several others.
Their early days at the Center are the
most crucial ones as they slowly
respond to the medication, nutrition
and care given to them. Though most
gradually gain strength and recover,
the handicaps and deformities caused by their malnutrition are there
the handicaps and deformities caused by their malnutrition are there
to stay. But most importantly, they've found a loving home and
caring family among our volunteers, staff and the Brothers.
Missionaries of the
Poor
Naga, Philippines
Naga, Philippines