 CEBU CITY: Formation Houses In October of 1991, the founders of this new Institute, Fr. Stefano Manelli and Fr. Gabriel Pelletieri, wrote a letter of petition to Archbishop of Cebu, His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, to found a mission in Cebu. The Archbishop generously accepted the Founders’ petition and even expressed his support to the first missionaries sent in Cebu by the Founders.
1. The Community in Lahug (Marian Friary of Mother of Sto. Nino)
The first community of Friars settled in Lahug, Cebu City. They established the first "Marian House" which eventually became the Mother House of the FI in the Philippines. The title given to the Marian House was "Mother of Sto. Niño." Fr. Bernardine Ma. Pedroso, FI was assigned as the Superior of the House and, likewise, as the first Major Superior of the Philippine Mission. It was on January 1, 1992 that marked the official erection of the first "Marian House" established by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate in the Philippines. For the apostolate, the community in Lahug today produces religious leaflets and brochures, including stampitas, picture frames, miniature statues, and rosaries for distribution. As for the outside activities, the community also assists in the formation and activities of the MIM members. It also helps in administering sacraments, reciting Holy Masses, and conducting recollections and Retreats. Regarding the number of the Tertiaries, we have at present more or less 60 novices, a number of postulants from all the places and cities of Cebu, and other numerous members. They undergo formation in a given schedule flexible to their needs.
2. The Community in Tolo-Tolo (Marian Friary of Our Lady of Consolation)
Zealous in serving the Archdiocese and as the years passed by, the Institute was blessed with numerous vocations to the religious and priestly life. Hence, the increasing number of new vocations demanded for a new formation house to accommodate all the seminarians and to provide the seminarians a place conducive for religious formation. The seminarians are to be introduced and trained into the penitential, apostolic, and prayer life of the institute. Thus, with the help of the Divine Providence, through generous alms and donations from the benefactors and friends, a new formation house was erected in ToIo—ToIo, Consolacion, Cebu under the patronage of "Our Lady of Consolation". The Solemn Blessing of the Marian House in Tolo—tolo took place on November 11, 1994. A Novitiate House (Annex) was also solemnly blessed on May 16, 1996. Today, the Community in Tolo-Tolo is composed of some professed both solemn and simple professed friars, aspirants, and postulants. However in the year 2000 the postulants were temporarily transferred in Naga City in Bicol Region. While this year’s new postulants (year 2001), their formation was again in the Main House and for some time will have to be sent to Bukidnon for some services.
 3. PROMARIA National Center One of the major apostolate of the Institute is Mass Media. And so in 1995, the PROMARIA NATIONAL CENTER was opened with the main job as printing center. An official publication entitled PROMARIA Magazine was also released with a free subscription for its circulation; thus entirely relying on divine providence for its printing cost. Today, this Magazine has almost 11,000 subscribers all over the Philippines and abroad. The PROMARIA National Center also publishes books (such as Day by Day with Mary, Jesus our Eucharistic Love, Holy Rosary and the Saints, Promaria Devotional Prayer Book, etc.) and other printed matters mostly composed of the writings of its Founders and other FI writers. The apostolate of the Institute here in the Philippines also included rosary making, terra—cotta and statue making (mostly that of Our Lady), catechism classes, making of the Miraculous Medal and its distribution, giving retreats or seminars to religious and civic oriented groups and others and chaplain services on pilgrimages.
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