HISTORY  OF SAINT MARY’ S SEMINARY

When Laoag was established as a Diocese in 1961, Pope John XXIII, of venerable memory, also decreed the foundation of a high school seminary. Its special mission in the local Church is to provide a conducive atmosphere and formation for young men who are capable and willing to undergo a high school curriculum in the context of a well-rounded Christian formation, and in the process to assist them discover and grow in their vocation.

Bishop Antonio Mabutas started the construction in 1962 with the help of the late Richard Cardinal Cushing of Boston and other benefactors. Saint Mary’s Seminary opened its doors in 1963. In 1965, it had its first nine graduates.

Until his transfer as Archbishop Coadjutor of Davao in 1970, Archbishop Mabutas saw the growth of Saint Mary’s Seminary.

After nearly a year of interregnum, Bishop Rafael Lim was installed as Bishop of Laoag after having been ordained at the Lucena Cathedral on April 27, 1971. Bishop Lim continued what his predecessor had started. He assigned priests who were fit to guide the seminarians in their formation to the priesthood, gaining positive results.

In May 1978, Bishop Lim left the Diocese of Laoag to become the first residential bishop of his home province, Boac, Marinduque. On December 6, 1978, Bishop Edmundo Abaya was named Bishop of Laoag.

Under Bishop Abaya’s administration, the diocese saw an increase of priestly vocations. The Bishop manifested his fatherly concern for vocations complemented by many benefactors for the seminarians who up to the present are giving their all-out- support to the seminary.

The seminary stands out as a formation school with the untiring guidance and genuine concern of the then Bishop of the Diocese of Laoag Ernesto Salgado now the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia

          Indeed, the Saint Mary’s Seminary has withstood the test of time under 16 rectors. The seminary has distinguished itself for having been run by rectors of character par excellence. Fortunately, the incumbent rector, Very Rev. Lester Menor, just like others before him, is an alumnus of the seminary. It is noteworthy that Bishop Jacinto Jose, the newly ordained Bishop of Urdaneta is one of the seminary’s 31 alumni priests, who are now serving the Diocese of Laoag, Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and abroad.