OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MINOR SEMINARY CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE 

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary (OLGMS) will celebrate its golden jubilee on August 21-22 with activities that will bring together its many alumni. The activities start with registration on August 21 at 8 am. After the merienda at 10am, a conference on spirituality follows. Archbishop Antonio Franco, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, will be the main celebrant at the mass at 6 pm. This will be followed by a Cultural Presentation. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales will celebrate the Mass on August 22 at 11 am. A place of formation for boys who desire to become priests, the seminary was founded by then Archbishop of Manila Rufino Cardinal Santos. In 1953, Cardinal Santos decided to put up an Archdiocesan High School Seminary to accommodate a large number of boys with initial signs of priestly vocation. OLGMS, a subordinate portion of San Carlos Seminary first became known as San Carlos Minor Seminary and was put under the care of the CICM fathers.

The seminary was located on a four hectare of prime land overlooking Pasig River, covering the war-ravaged Guadalupe Shrine and Augustinian Seminary. Fr. Frederick Linzenbach, SVD, Engr. Mariano Sideco and Carlos Silva led the construction team and was tasked to put a four-storey building (dormitories, classrooms, library), a faculty building, an auditorium and a chapel. The building with the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe on its domed roof soon became a very visible landmark along what was then known as Highway 54 (now EDSA).

On August 22, 1955, feast of the Queenship of Mary, the seminary was inaugurated by Rev. Msgr. Alfredo Poledrini, Charge d’ Affairs of the Apostolic Nunciature at that time. .

Nurturing vocation

The seminary, which offers a high school education, attracted young boys who wanted to be priests. Enrolment reached a peak in the early 70s when there would be about 50 to 100 students in a class. In time the number would dwindle, the result of both more stringent admission policies and an increasingly secularized environment.

Now there are four classes (first year, second year, third year and fourth year) with the average of 25 students in a class. Fr. Rolando Agustin, its present rector, says that “there are fewer students now because the seminary is stricter because they follow some standard in admission process so to give a better and concentrated psycho spiritual formation.”

Fr. Agustin is also the 7 th rector of the seminary. In 1970, Msgr. Justino Ortiz became its first diocesan Filipino rector, following a line of CICM fathers: Fr. Oscar Deltour, Fr. Camilo Marivoet, Fr. Andres Vanbeylen. Other rectors following Msgr. Ortiz were Bishop Antonio Tobias, Msgr. Francisco de Leon, Msgr. Norberto Habos, Msgr. Jovito Mejino and Msgr. Dennis Odiver.

OBJECTIVES

True to its mission of nurturing the seed of priestly vocation through a holistic formation, the seminary aims to foster growth of the seminarian into the fullness of Christian life through an integrated program that takes into account his physical, affective, intellectual, socio-cultural and spiritual development; to help the seminarian to discern the state of life befitting his character and charism as a child of God; to create an atmosphere conducive for the assimilation and deepening of values necessary for the formation of genuine servant leaders; to expose the seminarian to the ideals and demands of the priesthood through a process conforming to their age and development; to assist the seminarian in recognizing and responding to the initial signs of priestly vocation; and to prepare the seminarian for the major seminary formation.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Seminary applicants must go through four stages of admission procedures. Stage one is a series of mental ability and personality motivation test. The applicant takes a written examination and must reach at least the cut-off score to qualify for the next stage, which is the interview by the Board of Admission of the applicant and his parents. The results of the two stages are released a week after. The third stage is the Live-in Screening. Here the applicant has to stay in the seminary for a period of time to experience the life there. After he completes his stay, he is evaluated on how he participated and reacted to the activities in the seminary during his stay. The result of his performance in the written exam, interview and seminary stay, will be the basis for his acceptance. The fourth stage is the deliberation of the Board of Admission and formal acceptance. A week after the live-in screening, a letter to the parents will be sent as the official and final decision on whether the applicant is Admitted (A) or Not Admitted (NA).

FORMATION

OLGMS was designed specifically for high school students to prepare them not only for the priesthood but for becoming, according to Fr. Agustin, “servant leaders of the Christian Community. Once they are nurtured with the seed of love, commitment and human values, they become the future leaders who can make a difference in the lives of people living in the community wherein they will be living.” The formation programs include spiritual, human and intellectual formation.

Spiritual Life

The spiritual life of the seminarian is the most important among the formation programs of the seminary. There are various activities that help them develop a prayerful life which is very essential in building a closer relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

Among the activities are: The Holy Eucharist, personal and communal prayer, liturgy of the hours, meditation, bible and spiritual reading, devotion to the Blessed Mother, examination of conscience and observance of great silence. Further activities of the formation are: confession, benediction, recollection, holy hour, spiritual conference and direction and other activities like prayer triduum and novena and solemnities, the way of the cross, individual prayer support and spiritual retreat. 

Academic Life

The academic formation should develop in the seminarian an appreciation for learning as an integral part of his human and vocational life. The seminarian should have an openness of mind and heart, so that he would be prepared to consider new ideas and be alert and adaptable to changes (cultural, social, economic, political, spiritual and theological) that are constantly taking place. (The Phil. Program of Priestly Formation 1979, n.43)

Human Life

The human life formation is necessary for the development of the spiritual life of the seminarian because he does not only discover his own uniqueness and giftedness but he as well widens his social relationship with others.Fundamental activities like sensitivity seminar for parents, value integration for students, leadership training for higher years, peer counseling, father and son dialogue, mother and son dialogue and marriage encounter establish and build a better and stronger relationship with their families.For the past two years, the seminary sees positive results of their formation programs because the seminarians have shown some certain degree of growth in their personal life. “And hopefully later on, in the immediate future, we have the accreditation of the academic programs of the seminary,” Fr. Agustin said.

SEMINARY DISCIPLINE

A new and different world awaits those who wish to enter the seminary. It is a world where there is stricter discipline, different routine and well cultivated values rooted in the word of God. And those who wish to enter the seminary must have the willingness and determination to live in this kind of life. The kind of discipline the seminarians have is the very life they have inside the seminary (praying, studying, learning, eating, playing and cleaning). They are also being taught and trained the discipline they need in life: physical, moral, psychological and spiritual. Fr. Agustin also added that “discipline is necessary for success or growth. Even in the growth of one’s spiritual life, discipline is necessary and we see them in the life of the saints.”

SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION

The seminary marking its 50 th year of fostering integral values continues to mold seminarians to become authentic Christian servant leaders. The seminary has produced bishops and priests, but also business leaders, teachers, artists, and writers. Among the alumni of the OLGMS are the following seven bishops: Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo and deceased Batanes Bishop Jose Salazar, OP.

Over the years the seminary has proven its worth through the very formation that they give to the students. That essential formation became a strong foundation of successful students who made their way to priestly vocation. The seminary has imparted in them the right values and spirituality that will make them true servants of the Lord. And even for those who choose to trek a different field or career, the formation and training that shaped their lives never changed their hearts and minds and thus, they continue to become servants in their own little way.

For more information on the seminary:

Call: 895-8964 to 65

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MINOR SEMINARY CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE 

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary (OLGMS) will celebrate its golden jubilee on August 21-22 with activities that will bring together its many alumni. The activities start with registration on August 21 at 8 am. After the merienda at 10am, a conference on spirituality follows. Archbishop Antonio Franco, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, will be the main celebrant at the mass at 6 pm. This will be followed by a Cultural Presentation. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales will celebrate the Mass on August 22 at 11 am. A place of formation for boys who desire to become priests, the seminary was founded by then Archbishop of Manila Rufino Cardinal Santos. In 1953, Cardinal Santos decided to put up an Archdiocesan High School Seminary to accommodate a large number of boys with initial signs of priestly vocation. OLGMS, a subordinate portion of San Carlos Seminary first became known as San Carlos Minor Seminary and was put under the care of the CICM fathers.

The seminary was located on a four hectare of prime land overlooking Pasig River, covering the war-ravaged Guadalupe Shrine and Augustinian Seminary. Fr. Frederick Linzenbach, SVD, Engr. Mariano Sideco and Carlos Silva led the construction team and was tasked to put a four-storey building (dormitories, classrooms, library), a faculty building, an auditorium and a chapel. The building with the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe on its domed roof soon became a very visible landmark along what was then known as Highway 54 (now EDSA).

On August 22, 1955, feast of the Queenship of Mary, the seminary was inaugurated by Rev. Msgr. Alfredo Poledrini, Charge d’ Affairs of the Apostolic Nunciature at that time. .

Nurturing vocation

The seminary, which offers a high school education, attracted young boys who wanted to be priests. Enrolment reached a peak in the early 70s when there would be about 50 to 100 students in a class. In time the number would dwindle, the result of both more stringent admission policies and an increasingly secularized environment.

Now there are four classes (first year, second year, third year and fourth year) with the average of 25 students in a class. Fr. Rolando Agustin, its present rector, says that “there are fewer students now because the seminary is stricter because they follow some standard in admission process so to give a better and concentrated psycho spiritual formation.”

Fr. Agustin is also the 7 th rector of the seminary. In 1970, Msgr. Justino Ortiz became its first diocesan Filipino rector, following a line of CICM fathers: Fr. Oscar Deltour, Fr. Camilo Marivoet, Fr. Andres Vanbeylen. Other rectors following Msgr. Ortiz were Bishop Antonio Tobias, Msgr. Francisco de Leon, Msgr. Norberto Habos, Msgr. Jovito Mejino and Msgr. Dennis Odiver.

OBJECTIVES

True to its mission of nurturing the seed of priestly vocation through a holistic formation, the seminary aims to foster growth of the seminarian into the fullness of Christian life through an integrated program that takes into account his physical, affective, intellectual, socio-cultural and spiritual development; to help the seminarian to discern the state of life befitting his character and charism as a child of God; to create an atmosphere conducive for the assimilation and deepening of values necessary for the formation of genuine servant leaders; to expose the seminarian to the ideals and demands of the priesthood through a process conforming to their age and development; to assist the seminarian in recognizing and responding to the initial signs of priestly vocation; and to prepare the seminarian for the major seminary formation.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Seminary applicants must go through four stages of admission procedures. Stage one is a series of mental ability and personality motivation test. The applicant takes a written examination and must reach at least the cut-off score to qualify for the next stage, which is the interview by the Board of Admission of the applicant and his parents. The results of the two stages are released a week after. The third stage is the Live-in Screening. Here the applicant has to stay in the seminary for a period of time to experience the life there. After he completes his stay, he is evaluated on how he participated and reacted to the activities in the seminary during his stay. The result of his performance in the written exam, interview and seminary stay, will be the basis for his acceptance. The fourth stage is the deliberation of the Board of Admission and formal acceptance. A week after the live-in screening, a letter to the parents will be sent as the official and final decision on whether the applicant is Admitted (A) or Not Admitted (NA).

FORMATION

OLGMS was designed specifically for high school students to prepare them not only for the priesthood but for becoming, according to Fr. Agustin, “servant leaders of the Christian Community. Once they are nurtured with the seed of love, commitment and human values, they become the future leaders who can make a difference in the lives of people living in the community wherein they will be living.” The formation programs include spiritual, human and intellectual formation.

Spiritual Life

The spiritual life of the seminarian is the most important among the formation programs of the seminary. There are various activities that help them develop a prayerful life which is very essential in building a closer relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

Among the activities are: The Holy Eucharist, personal and communal prayer, liturgy of the hours, meditation, bible and spiritual reading, devotion to the Blessed Mother, examination of conscience and observance of great silence. Further activities of the formation are: confession, benediction, recollection, holy hour, spiritual conference and direction and other activities like prayer triduum and novena and solemnities, the way of the cross, individual prayer support and spiritual retreat. 

Academic Life

The academic formation should develop in the seminarian an appreciation for learning as an integral part of his human and vocational life. The seminarian should have an openness of mind and heart, so that he would be prepared to consider new ideas and be alert and adaptable to changes (cultural, social, economic, political, spiritual and theological) that are constantly taking place. (The Phil. Program of Priestly Formation 1979, n.43)

Human Life

The human life formation is necessary for the development of the spiritual life of the seminarian because he does not only discover his own uniqueness and giftedness but he as well widens his social relationship with others.Fundamental activities like sensitivity seminar for parents, value integration for students, leadership training for higher years, peer counseling, father and son dialogue, mother and son dialogue and marriage encounter establish and build a better and stronger relationship with their families.For the past two years, the seminary sees positive results of their formation programs because the seminarians have shown some certain degree of growth in their personal life. “And hopefully later on, in the immediate future, we have the accreditation of the academic programs of the seminary,” Fr. Agustin said.

SEMINARY DISCIPLINE

A new and different world awaits those who wish to enter the seminary. It is a world where there is stricter discipline, different routine and well cultivated values rooted in the word of God. And those who wish to enter the seminary must have the willingness and determination to live in this kind of life. The kind of discipline the seminarians have is the very life they have inside the seminary (praying, studying, learning, eating, playing and cleaning). They are also being taught and trained the discipline they need in life: physical, moral, psychological and spiritual. Fr. Agustin also added that “discipline is necessary for success or growth. Even in the growth of one’s spiritual life, discipline is necessary and we see them in the life of the saints.”

SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION

The seminary marking its 50 th year of fostering integral values continues to mold seminarians to become authentic Christian servant leaders. The seminary has produced bishops and priests, but also business leaders, teachers, artists, and writers. Among the alumni of the OLGMS are the following seven bishops: Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo and deceased Batanes Bishop Jose Salazar, OP.

Over the years the seminary has proven its worth through the very formation that they give to the students. That essential formation became a strong foundation of successful students who made their way to priestly vocation. The seminary has imparted in them the right values and spirituality that will make them true servants of the Lord. And even for those who choose to trek a different field or career, the formation and training that shaped their lives never changed their hearts and minds and thus, they continue to become servants in their own little way.

For more information on the seminary:

Call: 895-8964 to 65