The 75th anniversary of the Columban mission in Negros (1950–2025), celebrated November 22–24, 2025, commemorates a legacy of “integral evangelization” that has deeply shaped the island’s spiritual, social, and ecological landscape. Celebrating 75 years of presence marks a transition from building the local church to a renewed, audacious mission focused on contemporary crises, including biodiversity loss and social inequality.
The celebration was simple yet meaningful, marked by gratitude, joy, and hope. It became a time to rekindle friendships, honor the Columbans who helped build the local Church, and open pathways to new relationships and a more synodal way of being Church together.
Activities began with a treeplanting initiative at the Santuario de San Columbano-Bantolinao, where around 750 native trees were planted to mark 75 years of mission. About 100 participants from various sectors—including community schools, Columban missionaries, Negros Nine, mission partners, diocesan representatives, government agencies, and civic groups—joined the effort.
On November 23, Christ the King Sunday and the feast day of St. Columban, the local community in Batang gathered for a Eucharistic Celebration with the Columban missionaries, mission partners from Luzon and Mindanao on pilgrimage, the Amigo Columbano group, the Presentation Sisters and some friends. This was followed by a shared meal, reinforcing community bonds.
The following day featured a conference on “Laudato Si and the Island of Negros,” highlighting the Columban commitment to listening to the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” The resource speaker was Bishop Gerry Alminaza, Bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference- Philippines, and President of Caritas- Philippines. This was followed by Mass presided by Bishop Louie Galbines DD, the Bishop of Kabankalan, and concelebrated by Bishop Gerry Alminaza and the Kabankalan diocesan clergy.
The event concluded with a thanksgiving meal shared by everyone who journeyed with the Columban missionaries over the years. The anniversary was not just a celebration of the past; it marked a turning point that reflected:
- gratitude for a rich missionary legacy
- recognition of the Church’s role in social transformation
- and a bold commitment to face today’s challenges with renewed hope and purpose.
In essence, it is both a culmination and a commissioning—honoring what has been built while embracing what still needs to be done.
Columban lay missionary Arlenne Villahermosa lives and works in the Philippines.
