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History of St. Peter's Seminary

St. Peter's Seminary was founded in 1962 and has undergone developments over the years including adding and removing academic departments. It was founded to form boys for the priesthood and has housed seminarians in its buildings throughout its history. It currently has senior high school and college seminary programs.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
19 views2 pages

History of St. Peter's Seminary

St. Peter's Seminary was founded in 1962 and has undergone developments over the years including adding and removing academic departments. It was founded to form boys for the priesthood and has housed seminarians in its buildings throughout its history. It currently has senior high school and college seminary programs.

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golenatristan
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© All Rights Reserved
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St. Peter’s Seminary was founded as a high school seminary on August 6, 1962.

This was
the date when Fr. Peter Calvin,MHM, was appointed as first rector. He was given the task of
preparing for its possible opening in June 1963. Although the land for its site had already been
donated even before the establishment of the Prelature, there was no building when it opened in
the school year 1963-1964. The blueprint of the building was just approved on April 8, 1963.
The cornerstone was laid only on June 29, 1963, the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. It was not
possible to construct such a big building within the span of two months. The more important
concern of the Prelature was to gather boys who would formed for the priesthood rather than to
construct a building for them. The initial plan was to house the boys in St. Anthony’s College
when school opened in June 1963. Indeed the pioneering 20 seminarians and two priest-faculty
members were housed temporarily on the ground floor of San Jose convent until they transferred
to the new building in San Pedro, San Jose, Antique in October 1963. This was blessed by His
Eminence, the late Rufino Cardinal Santos.
The present two-storey Administration building was inaugurated on December 9, 1965.
The imposing boat-like chapel was consecrated and blessed on March 19, 1969, by then Msgr.
Jaime Sin.
It was only in 1967 that St. Peter’s Seminary reached a level of stability. The permit to
operate the high school was fully approved and the first graduates of the high school received
their diplomas that year. The first priest-professors who started the seminary stayed on in the
same ministry for some time.
In 1976, the Bishop expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the high school
department of St. Peter’s Seminary. There was a small number of graduates proceeding to the
college department compared to the big amount of expenses incurred in its operation. The Senate
created an ad hoc committee to study the matter. Based on the result of the study, the Senate
decided to phase out the high school department starting the school year 1975-1976. The last of
the high school seminarians graduated in 1979. St. Peter’s Seminary then opted to concentrate on
the formation of seminarians in the college level.
In the year 2016, the seminary embraced once again the High school department (Senior
High School) and adopted the governments’ new educational curriculum, the K-12. The
pioneering seven seminarians entered as grade 11 in the formation year 2016-2017.
In 2018, the seminary underwent a major renovation, which paved the way for the
construction of a new building with three classrooms, and a covered court. These developments
were to anticipate the growing needs and number of seminarians. In the formation year 2021-
20222, the seminary housed a total of six classes: Grade 11, Grade 12, first year, second year,
third year and fourth year.
Last year, March 26, a ground breaking ceremony was done to officially start the
construction of a two-storey building that will house senior high school seminarians in the near
future. This is in anticipation of the separation of the senior high school from the college.
Currently, there are 15 rectors before the current rector, Rev. Fr. Sergio C. Maniba:
- Rev. Fr. Peter Calvin, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Bernard Holthinrichs, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Erardi, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Henry Van Den Eeden, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Albert Driever, MHM
- Rev. Fr. James O’Donoghue, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Fortunato M. Abiera
- Rev. Fr. Jose Romeo O. Lazo, now, Archbishop of Jaro
- Rev. Fr. Eulogio Estaris
- Rev. Fr. Jose S. Bantolo, now, bishop of Masbate
- Rev. Fr. Jose Glicerio C. Geremia
- Rev. Fr. Victor S. Baguna
- Rev. Fr. Servillano E. Carro
- Rev. Fr. Rogelio A. Pon-an
- Rev. Fr. Segundino R. Laude.
16 rectors in total.
Since 1962, St. Peter’s Seminary remains strong amidst the challenges posted by the sign
of the times. She is indeed the barque of St. Peter that will continue to form young men of
Antique to become agents of renewal in the Church and in the society!
Sail further and beyond, St. Peter’s Seminary.

References:
- Ysulat, C. (2003) . That They May Have Life. Diocese of San Jose de Antique and St.
Anthony’s Collge. pg. 23-24
- Jubilee Souvenir Book. 2013
.

Common questions

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St. Peter's Seminary maintained relevance by continuously adapting to educational and societal shifts through strategic changes and upgrades. Initially focused on high school education, the seminary phased out this department in 1976 due to strategic realignments, choosing instead to concentrate on college-level training. However, with the advent of the K-12 curriculum, the seminary reintroduced the high school department, exemplifying adaptability to current educational landscapes. Infrastructure developments and leadership continuity further supported its ability to remain a significant educational institution, effectively navigating societal changes while staying true to its foundational mission .

The repeated renovations and expansions at St. Peter's Seminary reflect its commitment to providing quality education and formation while anticipating the evolving needs of its seminarians. Initial challenges of lack of infrastructure were addressed through phased construction, starting with a temporary housing solution and later inaugurating new facilities. The 2018 renovation to include new classrooms and a covered court prepared the seminary to accommodate the K-12 curriculum and the anticipated increase in seminarians, highlighting a strategic approach to growth and modernization .

St. Peter's Seminary demonstrated strategic foresight in its proactive planning and responsiveness to infrastructural and educational developments. Recognizing the constraints of their initial facilities, they promptly devised temporary solutions while constructing permanent structures. The decision to reintroduce and expand the high school department aligned with the K-12 system and anticipated further growth necessitated infrastructural investments, including the 2018 renovations. This foresight reflects a sustained commitment to future-ready education and holistic formation of priesthood candidates .

Leadership changes at St. Peter's Seminary, marked by the tenure of 16 rectors including the founding rector, Rev. Fr. Peter Calvin, played a pivotal role in shaping the seminary's development and stability. Each rector brought unique perspectives and decisions that influenced various aspects of the seminary's trajectory, including curriculum changes, expansion projects, and adaptation to societal and educational reforms. The continuity in leadership generally fostered resilience and stability, enabling the seminary to thrive amid challenges and remain a significant institution for the formation of seminarians in the region .

St. Peter's Seminary adapted to changes in educational policies by embracing the new K-12 educational curriculum in 2016. This development saw the return of the high school department, specifically the Senior High School, with the entry of pioneering Grade 11 seminarians for the formation year 2016-2017. Furthermore, in anticipation of further growth and separation of the senior high school from college, the seminary underwent major renovations in 2018, which included the building of new classrooms and a covered court .

The administration of St. Peter's Seminary prioritized construction projects to progressively meet educational needs as part of their strategic response to growth and curriculum changes. Initially, the lack of a building was addressed by temporary accommodations and systematically building infrastructure as resources allowed. More recently, responding to modern educational demands, the seminary expanded its facilities in 2018 with three new classrooms and a covered court to accommodate the reintroduced high school levels and anticipated future needs, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to educational infrastructure .

External donors and community support were crucial in the establishment and growth of St. Peter's Seminary. Initially, the land for the seminary was donated even before the prelature's establishment, demonstrating early community investment and support. This foundational support was instrumental in the seminary's ability to house its students despite lacking a proper building at its inception. As the seminary continued to expand, ongoing community support likely played a supportive role in facilitating infrastructure developments and operational continuity .

The reintroduction of the high school department at St. Peter's Seminary in 2016 aligned with its mission to form young men in spiritual and educational pursuits. By adopting the K-12 curriculum, the seminary expanded its educational scope to address contemporary educational standards, thereby preparing students more comprehensively for both spiritual and secular endeavors. This move demonstrated a dedication to holistic development that resonates with the seminary’s overarching vision of forming future church and societal leaders .

The decision to phase out St. Peter's Seminary high school department in 1976 was primarily due to the dissatisfaction expressed by the Bishop over the department's performance. There was a noticeable discrepancy between the small number of graduates proceeding to college and the high operational costs incurred. Consequently, an ad hoc committee was formed by the Senate to investigate the matter. The committee's findings led to a strategic decision to phase out the high school department starting the school year 1975-1976, focusing instead on college-level formation .

St. Peter's Seminary faced the initial challenge of having no building available when it opened in the 1963-1964 school year. The blueprint for the seminary building was only approved in April 1963, with the cornerstone laid on June 29, 1963, making it impractical to complete such construction in less than two months. To address this, the seminarians and faculty were temporarily housed on the ground floor of San Jose convent until October 1963, when they moved to the new building in San Pedro, San Jose, Antique .

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