Dedicated to Saint Columbanus, the Missionary Society of Saint Columban is a Catholic missionary society of apostolic life, approved by the Vatican in 1918. Commonly known as the Columbans, members of the Order may be priests, seminarians, or lay people. Founded by the Reverend Edward Galvin of Ireland and John Blowick, the Society was first known as the Maynooth Mission to China. With the blessing of the Holy See, Galvin and Blowick spent most of 1917 laying the foundations for the Society, and formal approval for the organization, now known as the Society of Saint Columban, was given in 1918, and a new seminary was established in Ireland to train new members for the Society's missions. A house was opened near Omaha, Nebraska, where another seminary was opened within a few years. By 1920, Galvin led a group of Columbans to open a mission in the Hanyang District of China, and Galvin was named Apostolic Prefect of the Apostolic Prefecture of Hanyang by the Holy Seen in 1923, and later the Apostolic Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Hanyang in 1927. Before long, the missionaries found themselves in the middle of a civil war between the Guominjun Nationalist Army and the Chinese Communist Party, which lasted for three decades, during which some members of the Order were murdered. By 1950, the communists were in charge of the area, and then all of China. Members of Catholic Orders were expelled in 1952. Bishop Galvin dies a few years later. Columbans came to the Philippines in 1929, Korea in 1933, Burma in 1936, and Japan in 1948. During World War 2, some members of the Order were killed by the Japanese. They were active in Australia for several years, largely in support of its mission to China. After mainland China was closed to the Order, they sent missionaries to Peru, Chile, and Fiji; and more recently, to Pakistan, Taiwan, Brazil, Jamaica, and Belize. Published seven times a year, Far East is the official magazine of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban.
Recommended Resources
Columban Center for Advocacy & Outreach
The United States advocacy office for the Missionary Society of Saint Columban provides a line of communication between Columban missionaries serving throughout the world and policy makers in Washington, DC. Its issues include migration, environmental justice, economic justice, peace and nonviolence, and inter-religious dialogue. Action items are posted to the site, and volunteer opportunities are cited.
http://www.columbancenter.org/
Columban Fathers - Missionary Society of Saint Columban
Also known as Saint Columban’s Foreign Mission Society, the Columbans are a Catholic religious society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of several cultures. Contacts for its US regional staff and Saint Columban Center are included, along with information about vocations, advocacy, outreach, and mission sponsors. Daily and weekly prayers, its magazine, and videos are presented.
https://columban.org/
The Missionary Society of Saint Columban was created for mission in China in the early 20th century. In response to an appeal by Archbishop Michael O’Doherty, the Columbans came to the Philippines, and took over the Malate Parish in 1929, opening several Catholic parishes that are mostly all now staffed by diocesan priests, sending missionaries out to other countries. Its justice and peace issues are discussed, and volunteer opportunities are presented.
http://www.columban.ph/
Columban Missionaries, Britain
The Missionary Society of Saint Columban and the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Saint Columban were formed by two Irish priests, Edward Galvin and John Blowick, in the early 1900s. A history of the religious institutes is presented, with an introduction to the Columban missionaries, membership information, vocations, and an overview of its issues and projects.
http://www.columbans.co.uk/
Missionary Society of Saint Columban, Hong Kong
Founded in 1918 by Irish priests, Father Edward Galvin and Father John Blowick, the Order of priests and brothers has close connections with the Columban Sisters. Presented in English, Korean, and Spanish, the history and a summary of the Catholic Order is given, along with its missions to several points in the world, including Taiwan, as well as the General Council in Rome.
http://www.columban.org.hk/
Built in 1928 as a Minor Seminary for young men run by the Columban Fathers, also known as the Missionary Society of Saint Columban, the seminary was closed in 1968, and reopened by the Columban Sisters as a retirement home for men and women of all faiths in 1970. The facilities are highlighted, including photographs, services, programs and activities, as well as volunteer opportunities.
http://www.stcolumbanshome.org/
Saint Columbans Mission Society, Australia
The Columbans are a missionary society of Catholic priests who work in cooperation with lay people and Columban Sisters in several countries throughout the world, including Australia. The Order’s priorities and values are discussed, along with a list of countries in which the Order is active, its areas of interest, magazines, newsletters, bulletins and other educational resources. Membership information and partnerships are highlighted.
https://www.columban.org.au/
