“They march and fight and risk their lives, unknown and poorly rewarded,” said Fr Miguel Bernad SJ of the Jesuit missionaries in Mindanao in the early years.  Their lives and those of subsequent Jesuit missionaries in Mindanao is the subject of a new coffee table book titled Jesuits in Mindanao: The Mission.

The book, which shows a white-cassocked priest riding a carabao (water buffalo) on its cover, was launched in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, recently.  Its publisher Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz said it was produced to honour Jesuits, past and present, who dedicated their lives to the transformation of the people in Mindanao for the greater glory of God.  The Jesuits were responsible for bringing to quality education to Mindanao and run three institutions there – Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Davao University and Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Muse Books donated the entire print run of the first edition to the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association (PJAA), and proceeds from its sale will go towards the care of infirm Jesuit priests and to Jesuit formation needs.

“We are grateful to the publisher, Ramoncito Cruz, and to Media Wise Communications for their kindness and untiring effort to organize photos and stories documenting the mission of Jesuits in Mindanao since 1596. The funds will go a long way to serve our fellow Jesuits who gave their all in mission and would still do so if not for illness and old age,” said Fr Herbert Schneider SJ, PJAA executive director and the Jesuit Philippine Province’s development officer.

The Philippine Province hopes to raise 9 million pesos from the sale of the book. [Business Mirror]