Rooted in the Heart of Jesus. Serving people with love. Bringing hope to the world.
The Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ), also known as Dehonians, continue the mission of Jesus by proclaiming God’s love, serving His people, and working for a world shaped by justice, peace, and fraternity.
Inspired by our founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon, we believe that devotion to the Sacred Heart must lead us to concrete action. Prayer and service belong together. Our love for Christ calls us to recognize His presence in every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable, and those who are often forgotten.
In the Philippines, our mission takes many forms. We serve in parishes, accompany young people discerning their vocation, form future priests and religious, support communities in need, and promote the values of justice, peace, and solidarity.
Through these ministries, we seek to make the love of the Heart of Jesus visible in everyday life.
How We Serve
Discover the different ways the Dehonians carry out their mission in the Philippines.
1. Parish Ministry
We accompany parish communities through the celebration of the sacraments, preaching, catechesis, pastoral care, and the formation of lay leaders. We seek to build communities rooted in faith, prayer, and service.
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2. Formation Ministry
We prepare future Dehonian priests and religious brothers through human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. Our formation houses help young men grow in their relationship with Christ and prepare them to serve God’s people.
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3. Youth and Vocation Ministry
We accompany young people as they discover their gifts, deepen their faith, and discern God’s call. Through vocation activities, personal guidance, prayer, and community experiences, we help them consider how they might serve the Church.
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4. Missionary Service
Following the missionary spirit of our Congregation, we proclaim the Gospel, accompany local communities, and respond to the pastoral needs of the Church. Our missionary service calls us to go beyond our comfort zones and bring the love of Christ to others.
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5. Social Action and Solidarity
Inspired by Fr. Dehon’s concern for the dignity of every person, we seek to respond to poverty, exclusion, and injustice. We encourage compassion, responsible action, and solidarity with those who need support.
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One Mission, Many Ways of Serving
Although our ministries differ, they share one foundation: the love of the Heart of Jesus. We seek to unite prayer and action, personal holiness and social responsibility, and community life and missionary service.
As Dehonians, we are called to live Sint Unum—that all may be one—and to work for the coming of God’s Kingdom: Adveniat Regnum Tuum.
Our mission continues wherever people need to experience the compassion, justice, and hope of Christ.
Learn more about our spirituality: Our Spirituality