50th year of AMRSP

The two associations that make up AMRSP - the Association of Major Religious Superiors of Men in the Philippines (AMRSMP) and the Association of Major Religious Superiors of Women in the Philippines (AMRWSP) - were founded in 1955 at the instance of the Pope Pius XII, who envisioned the creation of conferences of Major Superiors in order to coordinate mutual concerns and to provide a forum for shared resources, both human and financial. Based on the original statutes of the Associations, all major (or highest) superiors of institutes of consecrated life of active apostolate are automatically considered a member. The shared apostolates, ministries, and activities eventually spilled over not only within the individual associations, but also, between the two. In due time, the Executive Boards of the two associations decided to meet once a year to discuss mutual concerns. In 1970, immediately after the first meeting of Asian Bishops (which gave birth to the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences), and the visit of Saint Paul VI, the superiors of religious men and women convened in Mirador Hill in Baguio City from November 30 to December 5, 1970. In this first joint convention, both associations decided to establish a joint secretariat. This would later become what is known now as the AMRSP.