The History

OURNEY of  the FMS (Foreign Mission Society - Société des Missions-Étrangères)   1921 – 2011…90 years in existence…….passages… Cherishing  FMS history as we reach 90 years old.

 

1921 – Foundation of a Seminary of the Foreign Mission Society by the francophone  bishops of Canada (February 02). Nomination of Canon J.-Avila Roch, parish priest of the Joliette cathedral, as first Superior of the Seminary (May 12). 1922 – The Foreign Mission Society of the province of Québec is established as a civil corporate body (March 08).

 

1924 – Blessing of the Seminary of Pont-Viau-Laval (September 07).

1925 – At the request of Msgr. J.-M. Blois, apostolic vicar of Moukden, acceptance of sending missionaries to Mandchuria, China (February 03).

             First missionary departure for Mandchuria: Frs. Louis-A. Lapierre, Eugene Bérichon and Léo Lomme (September 11).

1929 – The first territory entrusted to the Society is the apostolic prefecture of Szepingkai, erected on a portion of the territory of the Vicariates of Jehol and Moukden in Mandchuria (August 02).

1937 – Acceptance of the mission of Davao, Philippines (April 02).

1939 – All the missionaries of the Society are affected by the war in China and in the Philippines – internment in concentration camps (1939-1945).

1942 – Opening of the mission in Cuba.

1948 – Opening of the mission in Japan.

1954 – Bishop Gustave Prévost is evicted from China. He is the last member of the Society to leave the country (May 01).

1955 – Opening of the mission of Choluteca in Honduras.

1956 – Opening of the mission of Pucallpa in Peru.

1961 – Opening of the mission in Argentina (1961-2006).

             First departure of associate priests for Honduras.

1962 – Opening of the mission in Chile.

1974 – Opening of the mission of Medan in Indonesia (1974-1984).

1977 – Opening of the mission in Guatemala with the participation of lay associates (1977-1981).

1979 – Presence of the Society in Nicaragua (1979-1987).

1983 – Opening of the mission of Hong Kong.

1984 – Opening of the mission in Sudan.

1992 – Opening of the mission in Brazil with the participation of lay associates (July 02).

1993 – Beginning of a new presence of the Society in Mandchuria (Changchun).

1995 – Opening of the mission in Cambodia in collaboration with the Missionaries of Yarumal of Columbia (May 04).

1997 – Opening to non-Canadians as members of the Society.

2000 – Opening of the mission in Kenya. Main objective: theological formation of our candidates to the priesthood.

2002 – Opening of the mission in Thailand. Project in connection with the Small Missionary Group of Cambodia and the Missionaries of Maryknoll (USA).

2003 – Creation of the Service of the Lay Missionary Associates.

2011 – Final closing of the missions in Cuba  and the Philippines. 

 

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