ABOUT US
What is MSP?
The Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP) is a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right dedicated to mission ad gentes—proclaiming the Gospel and sharing the gift of faith in Christ among peoples and cultures, especially in Asia.
Established in 1965 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the MSP serves as the official and chief missionary arm of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. On March 26, 1978, His Eminence Julio Cardinal Rosales, the then Archbishop of Cebu, established the Missionary Society of the Philippines as a new Society of Apostolic Life for the mission ad gentes. It received pontifical recognition on January 6, 2009, through the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Our Missionary Presence
Since its foundation, the MSP has served across continents. At present, it serves in
Asia: Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates and Oman;
Oceania: Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and Tuvalu;
Europe: the Netherlands and Belgium; and
North America: the United States of America and Canada.
Our Vision
We envision a world where the gift of faith in Christ is lived and shared in love by all,
especially the peoples of Asia.
Our Mission Priorities
1. Mission in Asia: We give foremost priority to Asia, proclaiming Christ and fostering the Church’s presence among peoples of diverse cultures and religious traditions.
2. Service to Young Churches: We support young Churches through evangelization and pastoral service, accompanying them toward ecclesial maturity.
3. Renewal of Churches: We offer missionary and pastoral support to established Churches experiencing secularism and a crisis of faith.
4. Mission with Filipino Migrants: We foster missionary consciousness among Filipino migrants, encouraging them to become partners and instruments of evangelization through their Christian life and witness.
The MSP Seminary Formation
There are two major stages in the MSP Seminary Formation: (1) the Candidacy Program [6 years], which includes the Propaedeutic Stage, Philosophical Studies and Spirituality Formation Year; thereby, the seminarians in this stage are called “candidates”; and (2) the Affiliation Program [5-6 years], which covers the Theological Studies, Pastoral Regency Program and Vocation Synthesis, thereby the seminarians in this stage are called “affiliates.”
The MSP Formation Houses, strategically situated in Tagaytay City, serve as the backbone of the seminary formation. They are the hub for the Configuration Stage, which is dedicated to Theological Studies, and the Discipleship Stage, which is centered around Philosophical Studies. The affiliates continue their theological studies at the Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay, while the candidates delve into philosophy at La Salette Seminary and the Philosophy Department in Silang, Cavite.
The MSP also operates a seminary in Consolacion, Cebu, where candidates who have completed their philosophical studies undertake the Missionary Spirituality Formation Year (MSFY). This year-long program deepens their spiritual life and prepares them for the Society’s missionary vocation. The program culminates in the Rite of Investiture, during which candidates receive their cassocks and sashes, marking their transition from Candidates to Affiliates. Following the MSFY, Affiliates proceed to Tagaytay for three years of intensive theological studies.
Alexa Young, CA
Community Life in MSP
Rights and Obligations of Each MSP Cleric
As members of the Mission Society of the Philippines, clerics are called to a life of holiness, service, and community. The Society grants certain rights and entrusts to each member the following obligations:
Obligations of MSP Cleric
Every MSP cleric is obligated to:
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Serve in obedience, accepting assignments willingly and carrying them out faithfully.
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Grow in holiness and virtue, striving for self‑sanctification and living out Christian and apostolic values.
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Build community by promoting unity, charity, and missionary spirit among brothers and the people served.
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Use goods justly, respecting the Society’s property and handling temporal goods responsibly.
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Live with simplicity, leading a decent life, avoiding unnecessary expenses, and remaining free from worldly attachment.
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Care for the vulnerable, providing for the sick and the deceased without prejudice, in the spirit of missionary charity.
