Francis Senden, CICM:

Images of a Lifes Journey (1916-1973) Script Continuity and Photo Research: Prof. Jun V. Redor Consultant: Dr. Mina Ramirez 2013

This is a story of a mans journey

and his intimate encounter

with the Asian Social Institute

Together they planted seeds of a shared dream- empowering people for total human development

Lets take a look on the harvest of blessings from the life and toil of our founder Fr. Francis Senden, CICM

The Netherlands (1916-1955)The Philippines (1955-1973) It all started here

The Netherlands

Comparative Land Areas

Philippines = 300,000 km2

Netherlands = 41,543 km2

Early life in the Netherlands

June 30, 1916. Frans Peter Anton Senden was born from a farming family at Beek, Limburga province southeast of the Netherlands. It was a time of war (World War I of 1914-1918).

BEEKUbach over Worms (WAUBACH)Limburg Province

Beek is the oldest village in the Netherlands.An archaeological site was found in Beek, consisting of the remains of a settlement from 5,000 BC which used western linear pattern wares.

BEEKIn fact, the Neolithic village of Beek belong to the Danubian Culture

Beek has a hilly landscape, with altitudes ranging between 70 and 120 masl

Frans Senden was second among six children. The youngest was a girl who earned the respect of all her brothers (The Senden Papers)

The Senden children lost their mother early in their life when Frans was then only seven years old. (The Senden Papers)

A deeply religious man, the father of the Senden children oriented them to a practical Christian life. He himself taught them catechism. (The Senden Papers)

The community of Beek has a special devotion to the Holy Cross.

Every evening, the Senden family prayed the rosary

as a child then, it was truly a great sacrifice to be obliged to say the rosary since the smell of fresh bacon whet the appetite for supper of the energetic Senden children

(The Senden Papers)

St. Martin of Tours Church at Beek

Just like St. Martin of Tours, love for the poor ran deep in the heart of the Senden home. There, beggars used to sit at table together with the Senden children, who were told to vacate their beds when the beggars arrived at night..(The Senden Papers)

The two small forests of Kelmonderbos and Spaubekerbos enchanted the young Frans

Saint Huberts Mill (constructed in 1801, Beek)

Elsmuseum of Beek

Scenic Kasteel or castle in the area

He also spent his boyhood years here at

It was a small municipality near Beek. In 1982, it was incorporated with the new municipality of....

Ubach over Worms (Waubach)

"Waubach was the German name for this part of Landgraaf -- believed to be derived from Waldbach, which is German for "woodland creek", and referring to the local Worm stream.

Town square of Ubach over Worms (Waubach)

Local cinema at Landgraaf

A typical dutch draw bridge

Our Ladys Grotto

St. Joseph Church at Ubach over Worms (Waubach)

August 3, 1942-- Twenty-six year-old Frans was ordained a priest during the outbreak of World War II

At war time, the young priest Frans Senden, at the risk of his life and the danger of his family, falsified signatures to save young Dutch boys from being sent to German concentration camps. (The Senden Papers)

Liberation of Limburg by the American soldiers, 1945

Victorious US Army march all over Limburg Province at the end of World War II

War has ended. A Dutch crowd awaited the parade of American troops, 1945

I am basically a student

----he spent 12 years of further education after his ordination, and familiarized himself with the history of the social question in Europe

Senden drew much of his social inspiration and ideas from the two West-European priest-activists Daens [the radical] and Pels [the diplomat]

(The Senden Papers)

Adolf Daens (1839-1907) was a Flemish priest from Aalst. Formerly a Jesuit, then later joined the diocesan clergy to become active in socio-political involvement. He created the Daensist movement from which originated in 1893 the Christian Peoples Party. It was inspired by Pope Leo XIIs encyclical Rerum Novarum. He was elected member of the Belgian parliament in 1894. Rightist groups in the Catholic Church obtained his condemnation by his bishop (1898), which did not prevent him from being reelected M.P. (19021906). He contributed much to the growing social awareness among Catholics in Belgium, and is a major figure of the Flemish movement as well as in the history of Belgian trade unions. He died in Aalst.

-Wikipedia

Poels who came from the same province where Fr. Senden grew up in the center of the coal-mining industry. He was a diplomatic priest-activist who was able to maintain good relations with the employers as well as the workers

And he immersed himself into reading St. Thomas Aquinas SUMMA THEOLOGICA in the original Latin text

In 1945, he finished his Licentiate in Theology at Maastricht,Limburg-- a city of history, culture, local folklore and education, and in years to come-- the birthplace of the European Union and the euro currency.

Limburg ProvinceMaastricht

City Hall of Maastricht (constructed in mid-17th century)

St. Servatius bridge

Basilica of Sint ServaasSt. Jan Church and the St. Servatius Basilica

City Park of Maastricht

Tulip blooms in Maastricht

Vrijthof Square, Maastricht

Then he pursued doctoral studies in Nijmegen-- the oldest Roman-established city of the Netherlands popular for its Catholic University (now Radboud University)

NijmegenGelderland Province

Of Roman origin (its name derives from 'Noviomagus' meaning 'new market') the city celebrated its 2000th anniversary in 2005. This makes Nijmegen the oldest city in the Netherlands. Kronenburger Park at Nijmegen

Nijmegen Market Square

One of the founders of the Catholic University of Nijmegen, Carmelite priest Titus Brandsma became a professor of philosophy and the history of mysticism at the school in 1923. He was noted for his constant availability to everyone, rather than for his scholarly work as a professor. Fr. Brandsma also worked as a journalist and was the ecclesiastical adviser to Catholic journalists by 1935. It was his fight against the spread of Nazi ideology and for educational and press freedom that brought him to the attention of the Nazis. He was arrested in January 1942, when he tried to persuade Dutch Catholic newspapers not to print Nazi propaganda. He died on July 26, 1942, by a lethal injection administered by a doctor of the German SS, to whom he gave a rosary. (Wikipedia)Blessed Titus Brandsma (1881-1942)

The Four-day Event (or "Vierdaagse") is an annual walk that has taken place since 1909, being based at Nijmegen since 1916. Depending on age group and category, walkers have to walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometers each day for four days. Fr. Senden was at his thirtys when he studied in Nijmegen. Could he have joined this physically challenging event?

In 1952, he earned his degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Catholic University of Niymegen

where he expounded on the concept of Part and Whole Theory

For two years, he specialized in Sociology at Tilburg University

TilburgNorth Brabant Province

St. Denis Church in Tilburg

Tilburg University is a public research university, specializing in the social and behavioral sciences, economics, law, business sciences, theology and humanities, located in the southern part of the Netherlands.

Here in Tilburg, the boy Vincent van Gogh attended the King Willem II school, where he was taught paintingTilburg University Campus

In 1954, Fr. Senden finished his masters degree in Sociology at Tilburg University

His congregation feared for his appointment for a professorship in the university. And before this could happen, he was immediately sent on mission to the Philippines.

F inding a second home in the Philippines

He arrived in the Philippine in 1955. And became a professor of philosophy in San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati from 1956 to 1962.

Newly constructed San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati City

It would not take him far or too long to be able to see the realities of the Philippines. What he saw right from the window and outside the walls of San Carlos Seminary in Makati puzzled him daily as he reluctantly sipped his morning coffee

Aerial view of San Carlos Seminary with surrounding residential district

Makati Viejo, Guadalupe Makati

Pasig River along Guadalupe Makati

Makati: a city of contrast

Nuestra Senora de Gracia Parish Church / Guadalupe Makati

Ayala Avenue, Makati

Rizal Theatre in Makati

Manila Hotel

Quezon Boulevard, Quiapo Manila

Quiapo Church

City Hall of Manila (left) and the Old Congress Building (right)

Manila Post Office (left) and the City Hall of Manila (right)

Traffic approaching Lawton in the 1950s

Luneta Park

Play area at the Luneta Park

Roxas Boulevard near the US Embassy

Roxas Boulevard along Manila Bay in the 1950s

The Manila Cathedral

1950s- 1960S

Factors in the Social Situation in the Philippines (1950s-1960s) that led to the start of Asian Social Institute:Unbalanced social structure that was creating social unrestAbsence of leadership defective of its integration with the socio-economic doctrine of the churchInconsistent economic and social policies of the governmentThe unawareness of basic human rights by the large majority of poor peopleThe propagation of consumerismIgnorance of techniques for greater production Unorganized labor and farmer sectorThe threat of communism Absence of a socially-oriented institute for the training of leaders

continuation: The exodus of farmers into the cities Concentration of the Philippine soil in the hands of a few A high rate of land tenure Usurious rates of interest imposed on the small farmers who are always living in indebtedness Antiquated methods of cultivation Small number of integrating industries Insufficiency of credit facilities Poor basic schools that dont prepare children for life Lack of public funds Lack of unity among govt agencies Lack of essencial services Insurgency from the Hukbalahap Movement after WWII

continuation:Production lags behind population growthPer capita incomes are lowGovt revenue drop and consequently govt services are curtailedLevels of social classes becomes greater and greaterEconomic depressionBribery, dishonesty and crime are rampantWidespread demoralization is accompanied by cynicism and growing resentment against societyMen and women chronically jobless cannot be expected to feel kind and generous towards a system that denies others the opportunity to live and the opportunity to express their personalityPersons must always fight to keep above the margin of despaIR

While nursing the idea of an independent social institute a-la- Tilburg in his mind, Father Senden waited for the right opportunity to present itself. That opportunity came with the strike of hospital workers at UST in 1961-- organized by Fr. Hogan, S.J. Cardinal Santos was upset with the strike right within the pontifical university. --The Senden PapersUniversity of Santo Tomas

Rufino Cardinal Santos

Rufino Cardinal Santos called Father Senden-- his adviser in social issues, and asked: Do workers in Catholic institutions have the right to strike? Senden answered that he would study the matter and present findings to His emminence. The answer of Father Senden was affirmative. The workers also in catholic institutions had the right to strike. --The Senden PapersHis Eminence Rufino Cardinal Santos

The Cardinal did not accept his position and ordered him to study the matter again. The answer: Sorry, your Eminence, I cannot change my position. So what can we do? --was the reply of the Cardinal. At this instance, Father Senden unfolded his grand plan in the form of carefully formulated recommendations--- that is: the need to establish the Asian Social Institute. -- The Senden Papers

In May 1962, the first seeds of Fr. Sendens dream for a just and humane society were planted. Asian Social Institute was established with His Eminence Rufino J. Cardinal Santos and in the light of the first social encyclical RERUM NOVARUM.to impart to the Filipino youth not only a profound knowledge of Economics and Sociology but also to arouse a spirit of cooperation, the spirit of Christian brotherhood in which the final solution to the social question lies. ---The Senden Papers

ASIs first building was located at the Pope Pius XII compound.

and it grew

A second address was located at the old Maryknoll College building in Leon Guinto St., Malate, Manila

Reflecting on the Dream of Fr. Senden, the main objective of ASI is to produce SOCIAL SCIENCE GRADUATES who will fullfill the following roles:Brain power for human developmentPolicy/Decision Makers in all sectors of society social political, economic and religious, guided by the ASI PhilosophyWith a sense of justice and equality, a spirit of service Who will have genuine empathy for the poor, the grassrootsWho will be catalyzers for various sectors of society

Obsessed with the formation of leaders, of giving Filipinos and other Asians alike, the idealism of working beyond self or family interest--- Fr. Senden soon realized vividly that he was as Founder-Director of the ASI, fighting an unjust social system and all institutions that promoted this system.

(The Senden Papers)

Also he recalled his struggles the difficult climb the humiliations of begging from friends to maintain his Institute, from those whom he expected would understand him and yet did not, for he could not rely on financial assistance from institutions which promoted the unjust system.

(The Senden Papers)

On August 22, 1973, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Very Rev. Francis Senden, CICM, the Founder and Director of the Asian Social Institute, passed away quietly, leaving behind him the mighty power and force of his personality in all its facets.

(The Senden Papers)

What do people say about Fr. Senden?

He is person-orientedHe has a deep sense of justiceHe is a thinker, social analyst & teacherHe has a sense of humorHe has great Faith in GodA Lonely PilgrimA man of mystery & paradox(The Senden Papers)

His mission continuously lives in our minds and in our hearts...

as we walk the talk

as we share ONE VISION

towards the JOURNEY

where Fr. Francis Senden and the Asian Social Institute--- becomes a story of ONE COMMUNITY

A COMMUNITY MOVING ON

in the daily struggle of building a just, humane social order and weaving peace and integrity of creation in the continuous cycle of life