The Redemptorist presence in Tacloban traces its beginnings to 1948, when a small community of three members arrived to begin their missionary work. Their mission was clear—to bring the message of God’s abundant redemption to the people of Leyte and Samar through preaching, retreats, and pastoral care.
It was also in that same year, on February 2, 1948, that the Perpetual Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help was first introduced in Tacloban. This devotion, which has since become a hallmark of Redemptorist spirituality, quickly took root among the faithful, drawing many to a deeper relationship with Mary, the Mother of God, and her Son, Jesus Christ.
Just over a year later, on October 16, 1949, the first Redemptorist Church in Tacloban was inaugurated. The structure became not only a place of worship but also a center for mission and evangelization in the region. As the devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help grew, so did the need for a larger space to accommodate the faithful.
After years of service and expansion, the present church was completed and inaugurated on October 20, 1960. This marked a significant milestone for the Redemptorist community and the people of Tacloban. Around this period, much of the Redemptorists’ work centered on conducting missions and retreats throughout the islands of Leyte and Samar, fulfilling their founding purpose of preaching the Gospel to those most in need.
A major development came on April 16, 1967, when the community accepted the responsibility of administering a parish. The area entrusted to them covered nearly half of the entire city of Tacloban, making it a vast and dynamic field for pastoral ministry. From that time forward, the focus of the Redemptorists in Tacloban gradually shifted toward the parish apostolate, while still carrying the missionary spirit that had defined their early years.
From its humble beginnings in 1948, the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban has remained a vital spiritual home for countless devotees and parishioners. Its story is one of faith, perseverance, and missionary zeal—a living witness to the Redemptorists’ enduring commitment to proclaiming the Good News of Plentiful Redemption.
Source: Celebrating 100 Years of Redemptorist Mission in the Philippines and in Asia 1906-2006.