CICM History

The rise of communism in China proved fatal for CICM's presence there. Missionaries faced hostility, imprisonment, brainwashing, expulsion, and even death. In 1947, Superior General Joseph Vanaput decided to redirect young missionaries in training from China to other missions and evacuate ill or elderly confreres. This 'negative' event became an opportunity, leading to the global expansion of the congregation. Missionaries expelled from China spread worldwide, establishing new missions in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan, reaffirming Christianity's universal nature.

Theophil Verbist, a young priest in Brussels, envisioned a Belgian mission in China. Inspired by his work with the Holy Childhood Association, which aided abandoned children in China, Verbist and several young priests shared a dream of becoming missionaries in the Far East. The Franco-Chinese treaty of 1860 opened China to Christian religious works, presenting an opportunity. Though initially opposed by Cardinal Sterckx, the Archbishop of Mechelen, their appeal to Monsignor Gonella led to Rome's approval, with the condition that an institute with headquarters, rules, and training for missionaries be established. This laid the groundwork for a new religious congregation.

In 1862, a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Grace and an adjacent house in Skirt, a Brussels suburb, were acquired. The new congregation, dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, became known as the Missionaries of Skirt. Mary's complete faith and dedication served as the core of their spirituality, with Verbist emphasizing her role as the driving force behind their work. The congregation's dual purpose was the conversion of 'infidels' and the salvation of abandoned Chinese infants. The articles of association were approved in November 1862, officially founding the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) with Verbist as its first superior.

Within two years, the initial four members grew to twelve. The Skirt mother house also established a Chinese museum to educate aspiring missionaries about Chinese language and culture. In August 1865, the first group of four priests and one lay brother, including Verbist, set off for Inner Mongolia, replacing Lazarus priests north of Beijing. They arrived in Chio on November 25, 1865. A second group joined them a year later, expanding evangelization efforts. Despite successes, these were difficult years marked by drought, shortages, a hostile climate, language barriers, and diseases, claiming many lives, including those of Aloise Van Segfelt and the founder, Verbist, who died of typhoid fever in 1868. His remains were later moved to the mother house in Skirt in 1930.

Political turmoil in China, specifically the Boxer Rebellion in the late 1800s, led to severe persecution. Seven CICM members were tortured and killed, including Ferdinand Ammer. Ammer embodied the missionary spirit of Skirt, fully adopting Chinese customs and food, earning the affection of his Christian followers. His ability to adapt the Gospel message to a radically different culture highlighted a core identity trait of the congregation – integration and inculturation – making them an international organization focused on opening hearts worldwide.

After Verbist's death, the congregation faced instability. However, his successors, France Franks and Jerome von Arts Sailor, provided steady leadership. Franks, who returned to Europe to inform church authorities of Verbist's death, possessed strong organizational skills. In 1870, he began constructing a seminary in Skirt for training China-bound missionaries, emphasizing the need for specialized preparation. In 1887, an assembly elected Van Ersella as superior general and established new constitutions, introducing perpetual vows for stability. Van Ersella, considered a 'second founder,' also oversaw the expansion of CICM missions beyond China to Africa in 1888, specifically the Belgian Congo, at the request of King Leopold II and the Vatican.

The first group of missionaries arrived in Bubangi in the Congo in 1888. Similar to China, they faced immense challenges, with many succumbing to disease and harsh conditions. Emory Cambier, a skilled and adaptable missionary, played a pivotal role in establishing new missions in the Casai region. CICM missionaries not only evangelized but also promoted development through schools and dispensaries. By World War I, deep roots were laid, with Congolese teachers and catechists aiding the work. In 1934, Charles Buoya became the first African priest. By the 1920s and 30s, missions in China also prospered, with numerous European and Chinese missionaries establishing schools, churches, and hospitals. Despite the high mortality rate in both regions due to harsh conditions and war, new candidates continued to join the congregation.

The CICM expanded to the Philippines in 1907 following the expulsion of Spanish missionaries. Ten missionaries, led by Petrus Derk, established missions in mountainous regions, Bagui City, and Noea Vizkeaya, building hospitals, universities, churches, and schools. In 1937, CICM took on missions in southern Sulawesi, Indonesia, including Makasar, Toraja, and Muna. The first missionaries, led by Jerard Martins, focused on building schools and dispensaries alongside evangelization. However, the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in 1942 led to the internment of all CICM missionaries, leaving only two Indonesian priests to continue the mission, surprisingly assisted by some Japanese Catholic priests.

In 1944, Ernest DL10s traveled to the US to secure aid for interned CICM missionaries, leading to the establishment of the first mission in the Americas. A property in Arlington, Virginia, was purchased and renamed Missionhurst, giving the US missionaries their new name. They expanded to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, working with Mexican communities and Native American tribes, focusing on community organization and social justice. This period marked CICM's visible internationalization, with European, Congolese, Filipino, and Indonesian missionaries contributing. In 1953, CICM began work in Haiti, one of the world's poorest countries, opening dispensaries, schools, and developing literacy and social promotion projects, particularly for youth and peasants. Despite political intimidation and violence, missionaries remained, sharing the struggles of the Haitian people.

Between the 1950s and 1970s, CICM missions were established in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Mexico. Missionaries performed outstanding work for the poor, human rights, and social justice, aligning with the Second Vatican Council's reforms. Martyrs like Father Conrad de la Cruz, Father Walter Vorcas, and Brother Serge Bertin in Guatemala exemplify their dedication. Father Joseph Chang Shoi, a Chinese-born priest who chose to remain in China under communist rule, endured 7 years in prison and 12 in a labor camp for his faith, becoming a powerful symbol of courage and devotion.

Pope John XXIII's announcement of an ecumenical council in 1959 brought significant changes to the Church. Vatican II emphasized a return to Christ's message and dialogue with the modern world and other religions. CICM, in response, began revising its constitutions in 1967, with final approval in 1987. This renewal led to new missions in Cameroon, Zambia, Senegal, and Mongolia. In Congo, the Philippines, and Indonesia, where CICM had strong foundations, evangelization and social promotion expanded, increasing vocations. By 1989, there were 146 Congolese priests and brothers, demonstrating the congregation's significant contribution to educating influential leaders. The Philippines also became a source of missionaries, transitioning from a recipient to a sender of vocations. This period saw CICM's international transformation, moving beyond its Belgian-Dutch origins to a truly universal congregation, with missionaries circulating globally, embodying an ideal of human brotherhood.

Since its founding in 1862 by Father Theophil Verbist, the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary has seen over 3,000 priests and brothers embark on the challenging adventure of bringing the Gospel message to people worldwide. The gallery at the Skirt museum in Brussels, displaying photos of everyone who has been part of the congregation, serves as a testament to their enduring legacy and global impact.