FR. THEODORE BUTTENBRUCH, SVD (1886-1944)
FATHER & FOUNDER OF CHRIST THE KING MISSION SEMINARY
FR. THEODORE BUTTENBRUCH, SVD (1886-1944)
FATHER & FOUNDER OF CHRIST THE KING MISSION SEMINARY
MARTYR OF CHARITY
MARTYR OF CHARITY
One of the pioneers of the Abra mission. He arrived in the Philippines together with Fr. Buerschen and Fr. Francisco Blasczyk in 1911, the third batch of arrivals. He stayed in Tayum, the original home base of the SVD community until 1922.
One of the pioneers of the Abra mission. He arrived in the Philippines together with Fr. Buerschen and Fr. Francisco Blasczyk in 1911, the third batch of arrivals. He stayed in Tayum, the original home base of the SVD community until 1922.
He worked later in San Juan and Bangued. He was assistant regional superior to Fr. Buerschen in the early 20s and assisted him very much in the negotiations of the SVD takeover of Vigan Seminary from the Jesuits and in the other mission developments. He succeeded Fr. Buerschen in 1927 as regional superior.
He worked later in San Juan and Bangued. He was assistant regional superior to Fr. Buerschen in the early 20s and assisted him very much in the negotiations of the SVD takeover of Vigan Seminary from the Jesuits and in the other mission developments. He succeeded Fr. Buerschen in 1927 as regional superior.
He is also the founder of the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon in Bangued, Abra; which is now called the Divine Word College of Bangued.
He is also the founder of the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon in Bangued, Abra; which is now called the Divine Word College of Bangued.
He is mostly remembered from then on in connection with Christ the King Mission Seminary. Before the construction was completed the SVD administration moved to New Manila with this new address: San Juan del Monte, Rizal. He negotiated with Mr. Hemady in the purchase of the site from the Magdalena state, Inc. Bishop Constancio Jurgens, CICM, facilitated the construction by endorsing to him their contractor who designed and supervised the construction. Due to this arrangement Fr. Theodore was able to reduce the construction cost of 60,000 since the woodwork was taken care of by our SVD Brothers, Bro. Arnulf Rademacher and Bro. Richard Huette. The Bishop gave tremendous moral and financial support in the form of big loans. CKMS opened on June 8, 1934- a milestone in the history of the Philippines SVD.
He is mostly remembered from then on in connection with Christ the King Mission Seminary. Before the construction was completed the SVD administration moved to New Manila with this new address: San Juan del Monte, Rizal. He negotiated with Mr. Hemady in the purchase of the site from the Magdalena state, Inc. Bishop Constancio Jurgens, CICM, facilitated the construction by endorsing to him their contractor who designed and supervised the construction. Due to this arrangement Fr. Theodore was able to reduce the construction cost of 60,000 since the woodwork was taken care of by our SVD Brothers, Bro. Arnulf Rademacher and Bro. Richard Huette. The Bishop gave tremendous moral and financial support in the form of big loans. CKMS opened on June 8, 1934- a milestone in the history of the Philippines SVD.
In 1937 Fr. Buttenbruch worked in the Zambales mission for four years, first in Cabangan, then in Iba. Then he was back in New Manila and subsequently founded the Sacred Heart Parish in Kamuning, Quezon City.
In 1937 Fr. Buttenbruch worked in the Zambales mission for four years, first in Cabangan, then in Iba. Then he was back in New Manila and subsequently founded the Sacred Heart Parish in Kamuning, Quezon City.
During World War II, the Christ the King Mission Seminary was occupied by the Japanese forces, effectively halting all operations. During that time, Fr. Buttenbruch used his German nationality to gain access to the prison camps in Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac; Camp Pangatian in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; the Carcel y Presidio Correccional in the port area of Manila, and the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. At first, Fr. Buttenbruch moved freely through the camps, bringing food and medical aid to the American and Filipino prisoners of war.
During World War II, the Christ the King Mission Seminary was occupied by the Japanese forces, effectively halting all operations. During that time, Fr. Buttenbruch used his German nationality to gain access to the prison camps in Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac; Camp Pangatian in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; the Carcel y Presidio Correccional in the port area of Manila, and the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. At first, Fr. Buttenbruch moved freely through the camps, bringing food and medical aid to the American and Filipino prisoners of war.
In early 1944, he was arrested by the Japanese soldiers, beaten up, and confined for months at Fort Santiago in Manila for extending help to the American and Filipino prisoners of war. He was accused of espionage and was sentenced to death. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, and then dropped altogether Upon his release, Fr. Buttenbruch returned to the seminary and continued administering his priestly duties. But on November 14, 1944, Fr. Buttenbruch was re-arrested by the Japanese Army, tortured, and executed. His grave is unknown. Because of his bravery, Fr. Buttenbruch was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom with Golden Palm in 1948 by the American Far East Command.
In early 1944, he was arrested by the Japanese soldiers, beaten up, and confined for months at Fort Santiago in Manila for extending help to the American and Filipino prisoners of war. He was accused of espionage and was sentenced to death. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, and then dropped altogether Upon his release, Fr. Buttenbruch returned to the seminary and continued administering his priestly duties. But on November 14, 1944, Fr. Buttenbruch was re-arrested by the Japanese Army, tortured, and executed. His grave is unknown. Because of his bravery, Fr. Buttenbruch was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom with Golden Palm in 1948 by the American Far East Command.
Through the instrumentality of Fr. Theodore Buttenbruch, Christ the King Mission Seminary stands as a tall, and imposing castle-like, 3-story building, though it has suffered the toll of time. But it may be good to know that soon after the opening the groups of candidates that were trained here already bore the characteristic mark of the society – internationality. The class of 1940 consisted of 12 seminarians with the following composition: 6 Filipinos, 2 Germans, 2 Americans, 1 Swiss, and 1 Austrian. Out of the twelve 10 were ordained. This international composition did not happen by chance. It was a spontaneous expression of an attitude of openness to all cultures, imbibed from the prophetic vision and charism of our founder, St. Arnold Janssen.
Through the instrumentality of Fr. Theodore Buttenbruch, Christ the King Mission Seminary stands as a tall, and imposing castle-like, 3-story building, though it has suffered the toll of time. But it may be good to know that soon after the opening the groups of candidates that were trained here already bore the characteristic mark of the society – internationality. The class of 1940 consisted of 12 seminarians with the following composition: 6 Filipinos, 2 Germans, 2 Americans, 1 Swiss, and 1 Austrian. Out of the twelve 10 were ordained. This international composition did not happen by chance. It was a spontaneous expression of an attitude of openness to all cultures, imbibed from the prophetic vision and charism of our founder, St. Arnold Janssen.
Old Photo of the Buttenbruch Building
Old Photo of the Finnemann Building and
the Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word
The Legacy of Fr. Theodore Buttenbruch
