The Bethlehem Mission Society
Present across four continents, the SMB continues its mission with dedication, supporting local Churches, its communities and pastoral initiatives in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Our traditional headquarters in Immensee accompanies these missionary assignments through the General Council. The SMB is part of the MISAL family — an international network of missionary societies of apostolic life sharing a common horizon of mission for the universal Church.
The General Chapter 2023 elected Fr. Ludovic Nobel as Superior General, Fr. Emilio Näf as Vicar General and Fr. Josef Meili as General Councillor. The Chapter set one strategic orientation for the new mandate: the internationalisation of the Society.
From this single horizon, three concrete directions follow: a closer collaboration with the local Churches we serve, according to their own calls and needs; the development of an integrated missionary formation system across the four continents where the SMB is present — articulated through our new houses of formation and the partnership of our MISAL family; and the active presence of our missionary voice in the digital networks where new generations gather.
At the same time, the Chapter affirmed the importance of a dignified and well-organised life for our elderly confreres — at Immensee and in the regional houses — because care for those who have served is part of the mission itself.
Our Missions Today
Switzerland is where the SMB was founded in 1921 and where most of its members live today — many of them returned missionaries who carry with them the experience of decades served on other continents. Our two houses here are Immensee — the historical headquarters and seat of the General Council — and Torry House in Fribourg, which serves at once as the home of a small international SMB community, as a house of missionary formation, and as the Bethlehem Student Residence, welcoming students of the University of Fribourg from many countries. A number of confreres also serve from smaller outposts across the country.
From these sites the confreres in Switzerland are active in pastoral ministry in the French- and German-speaking parishes, in the preaching and animation of retreats, in the teaching of theology — Fr. Ludovic Nobel, our Superior General, teaches New Testament at the University of Fribourg — and in missionary information through the SMB Magazine and Courrier de Torry journals.
Discover our Regional Houses in Switzerland :
Africa is today the heart of the SMB's missionary formation. In Zimbabwe, our two formation houses welcome candidates from across the continents: Driefontein (Community Experience and Novitiate) and Harare, where three confreres in temporary promise are currently in formation. In partnership with the Missionaries of Africa (MAfr), our theology students continue their studies in Durban, South Africa. Two senior confreres also live in Zimbabwe: Josef Lenherr at the SMB house in Driefontein, and Franz Wirz, who serves as spiritual director with the Sisters and Brothers of Jesus of Nazareth (SBJN). In Kenya, Luigi Clerici serves in Nairobi.
Read more about our mission in Zimbabwe
Discover our Houses in Africa :
Harare Postulancy Formation House
The SMB presence in Asia is rooted in Taiwan, where two confreres serve at Taitung: Fr. Josef Eugster, district superior, whose pastoral ministry and internationally known school of foot reflexology remain active, and Br. Augustin Büchel. The Regional House has become a place of retreats and days of reflection for parishes and religious groups, from the diocese of Hualien and from across Taiwan.
Beyond Taiwan, the SMB serves the wider Chinese-speaking Catholic Church through continuing education courses for Chinese pastoral workers held in Switzerland.
Read more about our mission in Taiwan
Discover our Regional House in Taïwan :
Today, three SMB confreres are based at the Regional House of Popayán.
Father Josef Schönenberger, known affectionately by the local Church as Chepe, serves as confessor of the Cathedral. Father Ernstpeter Heiniger (Aepe) continues to offer his pastoral and academic service to the archdiocesan seminary.
A new presence has joined them: Br. Jackson Mutua, a confrere SMB of African origin.
Read more about our mission in Columbia
Discover our Regional House in Colombia :
Historical Development
Since its founding in the late 19th century, the Bethlehem Mission Society has been committed to developing missionary work around the world..
Discover the history of SMB
Historical Development
Since its founding in the late 19th century, the Bethlehem Mission Society has been committed to developing missionary work around the world..
Discover the history of SMB
Historical Development
Since its founding in the late 19th century, the Bethlehem Mission Society has been committed to developing missionary work around the world..
Discover the history of SMBMission in Motion
Milestones of Our Missionary Journey.
1895
Fr. Pierre-Marie Barral founded the Apostolic School of Bethlehem in Meggen, Switzerland.
1896
The school moved to Immensee and became the Gymnasium Bethlehem. In the same year, the first issue of the multilingual monthly magazine Bethlehem was published, later continued under the name Wendekreis from 1972 to 2017.
1921
Rome approved the Constitutions, establishing SMB as a pontifical missionary society of apostolic life.
1922
Formation for priesthood candidates began at the seminary in Wolhusen, Lucerne.
1925
SMB received its first mission territory in China, in Qiqihar, Manchuria.
The first missionary brothers were admitted to collaborate in administration, schools, workshops, and agriculture.
1926
The Progymnasium in Rebstein, Canton St. Gallen, was opened as part of the educational network linked to Gymnasium Bethlehem.
1932
Priestly formation was transferred to the Bruder-Klausen-Seminar in Schoneck, Emmetten.
1938
A second mission territory was entrusted to SMB in Southern Rhodesia, today Zimbabwe.
The Progymnasium in Fribourg was opened.
1945
Missionary and religious studies became a major focus of the community with the founding of the Neue Zeitschrift für Missionswissenschaften (NZM). In 2005, this was succeeded by the yearbook Forum Mission.
1947
Under the leadership of Alois Hane, 32 SMB members moved into the Gweru region of present-day Zimbabwe and established a presence that continues today.
1950
After missionaries were expelled from China, SMB began pastoral and educational work in Denver, Colorado, opening a presence in the United States.
A new missionary chapter began in northern Japan after the departure from China. Over time, SMB members worked in pastoral ministry, research, university teaching, and the founding of churches and kindergartens.
1953
SMB opened its first mission in South America, in Colombia, especially in the southwest Cordilleras between Popayan and Pasto.
Taiwan became a new mission field for SMB missionaries expelled from China. Their work included pastoral service, the building of Christian communities, and educational initiatives.
1969
In response to new missionary orientations after the Second Vatican Council, SMB began team assignments in Zambia, linking mission more closely with local churches and development cooperation.
Priestly formation began at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Lucerne.
1972
SMB opened a mission in Haiti, where members served in pastoral work, technical schools, and construction service.
Missionary service also expanded to Mozambique, initially as an initiative connected with Zimbabwe and post-war rebuilding in border regions.
1974
SMB began its presence in Tanzania, where Johannes Bitterli served mainly in integral parish ministry, especially in rural areas.
1975
A new mission project began in Peru, first among fishermen in Callao, then through integral pastoral and development work among indigenous communities in the Altiplano and in Lima’s poorer districts.
1977
SMB opened a mission presence in Ecuador, accompanying Awa Indigenous communities in the border region with Colombia.
1978
SMB began its mission presence in Kenya, especially in priestly formation, spiritual accompaniment, refugee service, and support for vulnerable women and families.
1985
Mission projects were established in the Philippines, later developing through collaboration with local bishops and work among Indigenous peoples in Luzon.
1988
The General Chapter opened the SMB Association to women and men collaborators; in 2000 this became the Partner Association Bethlehem.
1992
Missionary service expanded to Bolivia, especially in poorer urban districts and in the development of health centers.
1994
SMB first appeared publicly under the name Bethlehem Mission Immensee (BMI) as a communication and public-facing title.
2000
The Partner Association Bethlehem was formally established, strengthening lay collaboration in mission.
2013
The independent BMI association moved its seat to Romero Haus in Lucerne, which it acquired from SMB.
2019
With the first stage of Wohnen im Bethlehem completed and the centenary of the society approaching, SMB adopted a new visual identity and the name Im Bethlehem.
2023
After the General Chapter, SMB entered a new phase of internationalization, welcoming candidates from beyond Switzerland and renewing its missionary formation.
Torry began to serve as a Missionary Life Training Center, welcoming novices and international students.
2024
The international novitiate in Zimbabwe officially began at Driefontein.
