The Benedictines arrived in the Philippines in the late 19th century to engage in missionary and parish work in Jesuit-established parishes in Surigao. Led by Abbot Jose Deas y Villar, a group of eight priests and six brothers from the Abbey of Montserrat in Spain reached Manila on the morning of September 12, 1895, and temporarily stayed with the Society of Jesus community in Sta. Ana.
Eventually, the Benedictine monks acquired a house on Balmes Street, Tanduay, where they had their first meal on April 25, 1896. The following day, April 26, the Feast of Our Lady of Montserrat, two joyful Masses were celebrated. This house became their base in Manila.
The Benedictines remained in Surigao from May 1896 until September 1909, when the missions were handed over to the Dutch Sacred Heart fathers. During this period, the Philippine Revolution (1896-98) occurred, and the Americans won the wars against Spain (1898) and the Philippines (1899-1902), marking the start of American and Protestant influence in Philippine education. Even before the Surigao mission was transferred to the Sacred Heart missionaries, Superior Fr. Juan Sabater had, in December 1900, considered countering the American Protestant influence. Establishing a school also provided suitable work for the monastic community members.
