CICM is the abbreviation of the Latin name Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae — Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Scheut takes its name from a small hamlet near Anderlecht (Brussels), where the congregation was founded in 1862 by Father Théophile Verbist (1823–1868).

After a journey through Rome to their first mission territory, and supported by several co-founders and companions—called co-initiators—who played an important role in the early years, the congregation was originally established to serve in China (Inner Mongolia).

CICM was, and still is, a missionary congregation, whose purpose is to send missionaries to other countries to live according to the Gospel of Jesus, and through word and example bring others to the faith.

From 1942 to 1968, the novitiate was located in Zuun Castle for more than 25 years. During that time, more than 1,000 novices entered the congregation—an average of about 40 per year.
Originally (back in the 13th century), this building had been a priory of the Bernardine Sisters of Klein-Bijgaarden. After the French Revolution, the property passed into private hands; that family renovated it in a slightly neoclassical style, and some members even served as mayors of the municipality.
During World War I, the German army requisitioned the castle’s horses, marking the beginning of its decline, and the family eventually left. Around 1940, a sister of a Scheut missionary purchased the castle together with others, as Scheut itself was in need of additional space and a suitable location. A few years later, the congregation acquired the remaining parts of the estate.

Mission countries (historical & present)

Starting from China, CICM expanded to Congo (DRC), the Philippines, Indonesia, Latin America, and the United States—the latter serving as a support base for the Philippines, where many Scheut missionaries began their careers. The CICM house in Arlington, Virginia, is still known as Missionhurst.

Today, CICM is an international congregation of priests and brothers engaged in parish ministry, education, youth work, dialogue, and social commitment—wherever the need is greatest.

In 1865, the Holy Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith entrusted the Scheut missionaries with the mission of Inner Mongolia, in northern China. After repeated requests from King Leopold II, the congregation later agreed to send missionaries to the Apostolic Vicariate of the Congo Free State, with the first group departing in 1888.
From there, CICM expanded across Central Africa and later to many other parts of the world. Missionaries of Scheut are or were active in the following countries:

Countries of CICM activity

Africa: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, Chad, Zambia
Americas: Brazil, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, United States
Asia: Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, Taiwan, Singapore
Europe: Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy