SCJ Philippine District

November 26 in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart has a special meaning and dimension. It is commonly known as an SCJ Memorial Day. The purpose of this celebration is to remember all the SCJs who died as martyrs on the field of apostolic work and evangelization. At the moment there are at least 45 SCJs who died as martyrs. The idea of celebrating this Memorial Day came out during the XXI General Chapter and was aproved by the General Council in Rome. The chosen date for this celebration is the date of death of an SCJ Bishop Mons. Joseph Wittebols, who was killed together with 27 SCJ missionaries in Congo during the rebellion on November 26, 1964. According to the directives of the General Council it should be celebrated in the whole Congregation, especially in the formation houses. In Cagayan de Oro formation community the celebration was preceeded by 9-day Novena and a special Mass on November 26, 2004. The concelebrated Mass was attended by some visitors: priests, religious sisters and the group of Lay Dehonians of Cagayan de Oro Chapter.