New seminary in San Fabian opens in June
SAN FABIAN—The newly built Mary Help of Christians Theology Seminary (MHCTS) in Barangay Palapad here will welcome its first batch of freshmen students at the start of this year’s academic year in June.
Rev. Oliver Mendoza, rector/procurator of MHCTS, said they are expecting an initial batch of 13 theology seminarians from the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese and two from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.
“That’s already a big number,” said Mendoza, citing that when he took his theology course, he was in a batch of 18 all from Northern Luzon.
Prior to the construction of the MHCTS, the nearest theology seminary to Pangasinan was in Vigan City, some 300 kilometers away.
Mendoza is optimistic that the number of theology seminarians at the new school, occupying a 27,000-square meter area, will increase over the years.
He will work with Rev. Mario “Ayong” Morales as the seminary’s spiritual director.
The MHCTS is the first theology seminary in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, which was set up 50 years ago.
The archdiocese has a high school seminary in Binmaley town and a college seminary in Dagupan City, both named Mary Help of Christians.
The Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese has a sufficient number of priests who hold licentiate and doctoral degrees in various ecclesiastical disciplines. There are also three priests currently pursuing post graduate studies in Spain and Rome and fifteen priests pursuing a master’s degree program in education locally.
Once completed, the MHCTS, designed by Architect Susana Castillo who is a recipient of the papal award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, will be able to accommodate as many as 80 students.
The seminary’s formal blessing and inauguration will be held next year yet when all the facilities have been completed.–Eva Visperas
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