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The specific goal of the CICM is to commit itself entirely to the proclamation of the Good News wherever a missionary presence is most needed, especially in remote areas among peoples where the Gospel is not known.
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The International Order CICM stands for Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (in Latin: Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae). CICM is an exclusively Missionary Institute of religious priests and brothers. In 1862, Fr Theophile Verbist, a Belgian diocesan priest, founded this missionary community for the conversion of China. Its members are called to go beyond geographical and religious boundaries to share Jesus Christ with all those who do not know Him. |
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Fr Theophile Verbist and four CICM missionaries set out East from Belgium in 1865. Their arrival in Xiwanzi, Inner Mongolia, sowed the seed of the Christian faith for the first time in that land. Overcoming the harsh terrain, severe weather, vast distances and language difficulties, the CICM missionaries organized small Christian communities, ran an orphanage and school, and trained seminarians. However, in 1868, just three years after arriving in Mongolia, Fr Verbist succumbed to typhoid fever. Nevertheless his missionary zeal inspired others and the CICM congregation expanded. Today, CICM missionaries live and work in 23 countries throughout Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Europe. The CICM missionary commits himself to his Mission through a total gift of self to God. By following Jesus as a member of a community, he proclaims that God is the ultimate reality of his life and keeps alive among the people hope for the Kingdom and its justice. Many missionary initiatives started by CICM members are handed over to the local clergy once the local Church is established; the missionaries themselves move on to newer challenges. |
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The Order in Singapore The first Rector of the CICM House on Nassim Road was Fr Richard Quintens, who was transferred from China to Singapore in 1931. Apart from being a Procure for the CICM missions in China, the house served also as guest house for many friends, local and foreign. From this place were launched Hai Sing Pao, the Chinese counterpart of the Catholic News, and a Religious Instruction Course later used by ACMA (Archdiocesan Commission for Missionary Activity); even Marriage Encounter was started from here. |
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District Superior: |
Rev Fr Frans De Ridder, CICM |
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| Other members: | Rev Fr Albert Brys, CICM Rev Fr Angel Luciano, CICM Rev Fr Paul Staes, CICM Rev Fr Robertus Sarwiseso, CICM Rev Fr Romeo Yu Chang, CICM |
| Address: | CICM District House 4 Pandan Valley #07-418 Singapore 597628 Tel: 6468-2645 Fax: 6468-2152 Email: cicm@pacific.net.sg |
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| Hotlinks: | Scheut Missions |
| Catholic News article – Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary |
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| China Outreach Faithful to the founder's concern for the evangelisation of the Chinese people, Scheut Missions - CICM wants to keep that same concern alive in the Christian communities of the Archdiocese. Together with CICM confreres and lay people in Taiwan and Hong Kong, we participate in a vast program of missionary work FOR China and, whenever possible, IN China as well. |
| Inter-religious Dialogue Contacts and dialogue with persons of other religions enable us to listen respectfully to the whispering of God's Spirit in the religious experiences of others. Thus we are enriched by other traditions while trusting that our own Christian heritage can resonate with theirs. IRO membership is one channel. |
| Pastoral Care of Migrants and Seafarers In line with God's own choice, CICM's preferential option goes toward the poor and powerless. The particular challenges offered by the situation in Singapore, also as a world port, assure that the work among foreign workers and seafarers enjoys the full support of Scheut Missions - CICM. |
| Missionary and Vocation Animation CICM seeks to involve all baptised people to take up their own unique ministry in the building up of the Body of Christ by promoting local evangelisation, particularly through RCIA. A co-founder and active member of ACMA, Scheut Missions (CICM) wants to incarnate the universal dimension of the Church, constantly drawing the attention of the particular Churches to the needs of the Universal Church. To this end, Scheut Missions Friends Committee organizes occasional talks on mission, and Missionhurst (the magazine of the US Province) is being distributed free of charge to parishes, schools, and many individual persons in Singapore and Malaysia. Furthermore, CICM wants to be a channel through which the Archdiocese of Singapore can express its own special calling to be a missionary Church. Therefore, it wants to challenge, invite and welcome young men to join CICM as ambassadors of Christ in foreign lands. |
