St. Magdalene of Canossa, Foundress of the Canossian Daughters of Charity in 1808 obtained pontifical approval for the Institute of the Canossian Daughters of Charity on December 23, 1828. The Institute of the Canossian Sons of Charity began on May 23, 1831 in Venice.

The Canossian Fathers’ presence in the Philippines started in the hinterlands of Samar. They began the mission in Jipapad and Conception, Arteche, Eastern Samar of circuitous rivers and unconquered mountains that isolate the two places. The two pioneer missionaries were Fathers Vittorio Cavallaro and Eduardo Lanzalaco.

In 1986 upon the invitation of then Cardinal of Manila, the late Most Reverend Jaime Cardinal Sin, the CANOSSIAN FATHERS in Italy sent some Fathers to open a Seminary in New Manila, Quezon City. Fr. Stefano Arnone, Fr. Carlo Bittante were the pioneers and was joined later by Fr. Giovani Gentilin. Through Vocation Animation, they invited young men to attend search-in, forming prayer groups, youth encounters and personal contacts.

In 1988, the Pontificio Instituto Missioni Estere (PIME) Fathers gave way for the Canossian Fathers to exercise their ministry to the poor in San Pablo Apostol Parish in Magsaysay Village, Tondo, Manila. Today, the Canossian Fathers are present in Marikina for the Novitiate, in Cagayan de Oro for the Postulancy Program and in Tala, Bataan for the chaplaincy of the Parish of St. Josephine Bakhita.

The Canossian Sons of Charity, Fathers and Brothers, faithful to the charismatic tradition of our institute and to the needs of every person, in communion with the local Church, offer our services in the field of EVANGELIZATION and HUMAN PROMOTION. In our works, we try to express the greatest love, which has been given to us.

  • The daily “Oratory”: it is the moment and place for the pastoral care of all the children and youth, with special attention to the poorest, to those “rejected by everyone”, as Magdalene said.

  • The Parishes: especially into the poor areas and the outskirts.

  • Assistential activities: where we can truly offer to the “least”, formative activities on a regular and homely basis.