*Un poco de historia
In
1924 the First Missions National Congress is held in Santa Fe de Bogotá.
Among the participants was the Bishop of Santa Rosa de Osos, R. Rev. Miguel
Angel Builes, who had taken possession of his diocese a few weeks earlier.
An Eudist priest, Father Maturin Jéhanno, who was one of the participants,
approached him and said: "Bishop, it has been discussed about the foundation
of a Missionary Intstitute. You are young and Antioquia has a lot of vocations.
This is your task".
Bishop Builes went back to his diocese and during three years he thought about it. He consulted some priests, prayed and made others pray. Finally, in June 29, 1927, he signed the foundational decree of the Seminary of Missions, to be started in Yarumal.
South of this city, in which used to be a tavern and inn for mule drivers, fixed by the Capuchin Sisters, The Seminary of Missions, opened on July 3, 1927; a Sunday.
Three priests, Father Abigail Restrepo, Father Alfonso Restrepo and Father Pedro Luis Osorio, with five students, launched the dream of this missionary bishop.
At first, they did not have furniture or books, nor money at all. It survived by the austerity of its founders, and the concern of the bishop, who knocked all doors, appealing for help towards his seminarians.
In 1928 it was taking shape, the student number increased and
new priests from the mother diocese came, to help in the formation of
the future missionaries.
September 25, 1938 arrived. After eleven years of effort and struggles, Bishop Builes could see his wish accomplished. At the parish in Yarumal, he was ordaining the first seven priests of his Missionary Institute.
In 1946, the Holy See, created the Prelacy of Labateca and entrusted it to the Missionaries of Yarumal, appointing as prelate Bishop Luis Eduardo García. This prelacy would become part of Arauca, which is now, a diocese.
In 1949, other territory was entrusted to Yarumal Missioners; it was the Prelacy of Mitu, with Bishop Gerardo Valencia as the head.
In 1953, the pope appointed the two first bishops of the Institute. Bishop Valencia is transferred to Bueanventura as a Apostolic Vicar and Bishop Gustavo Posada is ordained a Bishop of Itsmina. Both are jurisdictions in Colombia.
In 1970 other missions in different countries of Latin America, were opened. First Bolivia, then, Venezuela. Later we have been able to be at many different countries to announce the Gospel among other human groups, in much need.
In September 29, 1971, Bishop Builes dies. His beatification cause has been introduced in Rome.
Our Institute develops, thanks to the prayers and contributions of numerous benefactors and thanks to many youths who want to commit themselves with the Gospel proclamation in remote areas.