A History

        Without a formal structure to house them, up to June 8, 1929, the first batch of seminarians from Lingayen Diocese were temporarily accommodated at the Vigan Seminary on the request of Msgr. Guerrero to Bishop Sancho of Nueva Segovia. Meantime, in his determination to finally put up the Binmaley seminary, Bishop Guerrero signed a contract with the General Superior of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD or Societas Verbum Dei), Father William Gier, on August 23, 1929.

            And finally, on May 24, 1930, the Seminary was solemnly inaugurated by Msgr. William Piani, the Apostolic Delegate on the Feast of Our Lady. A month later, the Lingayen minor seminarians were moved from Vigan to Binmaley, together with the administrative staff composed of Father Henry Ederle, the Rector; Father Arthur Dingmann, the Prefect; and Father Joseph Bette, the Procurator and acting parish priest of Binmaley during that time.

            The succeeding two decades were characterized by gradual growth in terms of upgrading facilities and education system, although enrollees remained constant during the period.  In August 1935, the whole town of Binmaley was placed underwater by floods caused by strong typhoons that were known to have blown even ocean-going steamers into dry land in the harbors of Manila. Accounts of great flood indicated that ”the people were fishing on the street in front of the town hall.“ The seminary, however, emerged practically unscathed by the catastrophe. It was the only building in the area that was intact and became a safe place of refuge for the typhoon and flood victims.

            For three years after its inception, the seminary’s population increased with the addition if the fourth and fifth year classes. The number of enrollees, however, remained fixed to an average of 45, even after the introduction of a two-year philosophy course from 1938 to 1950.

            In fact, the biggest recorded seminary population of 66 registered in 1932-1933 while the smallest number at 39 was recorded in 1940-1941. Until the time when the teaching of philosophy was initiated, the fifth year graduates were sent to Manila or Vigan for their further studies that included Theology.

            A few years later, at the outbreak of World War II in December 1941, all seminarians were sent home. In June 1942, the classes were resumed and all batches of seminarians during the period were given automatic one-year promotions, except those who had been originally in the first and second year Philosophy classes.

            The seminarians were spared in the heavy bombardment of the town in 1945 upon the re-taking of the islands by the American liberators as they had been sent home months ahead.

            During the school year 1945-1946 and the first semester of the following year, 44 seminarians occupied the old convent of Calasiao. The pastor and curate stayed, meantime in the church sacristy. During that time, the five seminary fathers preoccupied themselves with giving religious instruction at Calasiao High School.

            After the short sojourn in Calasiao, by the end of the second semester of the school year 1946-1947, the whole Seminary transferred back to Binmaley. The academic setup of five years of high school and two years of Philosophy was retained for three years more, enjoying in all a life span of eleven years.

            With this basic ”structure“ strongly secured and stabilized for the more part of the past two decades under the administration of the Five Rectors: Fr. Enrique Ederle, Fr. Henry Buerchen, Fr. Pedro Kranewitter, Fr. George Hardwardt, Fr. Anthony Colet, the seminary in fifties, sixties and seventies focused much of its attention and resources on expansion to accommodate the growing enrollment.

            Fr. Joseph Klekamp initiated it all, improving and building upon the previous edifices and other facilities that were up through the intercession of the Bishop. In 1951, a more spacious chapel replaced the old one situated in what is now the sacristy above the staircase. Crowding the old convents’ azotea and study hall at the further end, this new chapel was located at the second floor of the building. The latter was enlarged in 1953 and connected to the school building.

            Though 100 seminarians could be comfortly contained in the new facility, more spaces were needed for the seminarians’ sleeping quarter and study halls. A three-storey edifice was constructed in 1956 behind the new chapel. Soon after, an additional four-storey structure was attached to it to form together one single complex. This annexed house the lavatories, bathrooms, comfort rooms and four guest rooms. In 1964, the last of the building complex was put up, featuring dormitories, dining halls, a kitchen and personal quarters.

            Other subsequent building and facility additions included three basketball courts-the south court in 1955, the middle court in 1959, and the north court in 1965.

            Work on the grotto of Our Lady on the northeast corner of the compound began in September 1955. Presently, the dormitory of the old building is being into a big library. The old structure near the carpentry shop used for toilet and shower rooms was brought down to give way to a lawn tennis court.

            Even with the transfer of the Philosophy course to the major department in 1950, the seminary’s enrolment remained unaffected. The same trend was observed even after the phasing out of the fifth year college in 1969 and the worldwide crisis suffered by the vocation in the early seventies. On the contrary, the population trend remained upward, soaring from a low sixty in the first two school years in the fifties to as high as 225 in the school year 1966-1967, maintaining a yearly average count of 138.

            In 1959, the seminary was granted government recognition by the Bureau of Private Schools. The students finishing the special classical secondary course were entitled leading to the Bachelor of Arts Degree.

            Since 1977, the Seminary has adopted a new curriculum formulated by the Ministry of Education and Culture for public and private schools. Except for Latin, Spanish and Religion, the seminarians took up a similar number of subjects with those of their counterparts elsewhere.

            The Binmaley Seminary’s offering for its student has the unmistakable hallmarks of the SVD standards of education. The staff’s international character also made indelible imprints on the development of the seminarians. For the past 21 years of the SVD administration, the list of Rectors included Fr. William Van Kuijicj, Fr. Alphonse Mildner, Msgr. Simeon Valerio, Fr. Liberato Fernandez, Fr. Vicente Branganza, Fr. William Nuehoeffer, Fr. Charles Gries, and Fr. Victor Holobrady.

            The three Filipinos were MHCS alumni themselves like practically all the priests in the diocese, having considerably progressed through years.

            It was only a matter of time for the diocesan clergy to be ready to take over the seminary’s administration. In 1976, four clergies from the diocese took over: Fr. Jesus Cabrera, as Rector; Fr. Jose Cariño, as Principal; Fr. Demetrio Bugayong, as Prefect; and Father Arcadio Muñoz, as Music Director. Two SVD priests who had been the seminary’s pillars, Fr. Victor Holobrady and Fr. John Healy were asked by Msgr. Federico Limon, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, to stay and to continue serving as Procurator and Spiritual Director. Rev. Fr. Demetrio L. Bugayong (1979-1984), Rev. Fr. Jose F. Laforteza (1984-1991), Rev. Fr. Francis C. Posadas (1992-1994), Rev. Fr. Alberto T. Arenos (1994-1998), Rev. Fr. ReynaldoV. Romero (1998-2000), Rev. Fr. Carlito Yden (2001-2004), Rev. Fr. Allan Morris T. Abuan (2004-2007) and Rev. Fr. Jeremias B. Cera (2007-present) followed the rosters of MHCS’ father rectors.

            Faced with challenges of the modern times, then seminary rector Fr. Reynaldo Romero and the seminary staff Fr. Winston Estrada and Ramund Manaois launched in 1999 a long-overdue massive rehabilitation project for the Binmaley seminary.

            By God’s providence, five MHCS alumni- Engr. Rollie Legaspi, then Parents-Teacher Advisory Board president Aquino Baniqued, Joven Calutlut, banker Rene Viado- and one SVD alumnus Mario Sandoval- called the Magnificent Seven- together with Fr. Rey Romero; they brainstormed on holding a grand alumni homecoming in time for Jubilee Year 2000. A planning session was in December 27, 1999 with some 50 alumni attended by Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, former Vice Gov. Gonzalo Duque, Raffy Baraan, Atty. Alex Fernandez, among others that formally launched the February homecoming, 21 years since the 1979 golden jubilee celebration.

            Alongside with the Grand Alumni Homecoming in 2000 was the eventual formation of the Kabalens Mary Help of Christians Seminary Foundation, Inc. which was initially organized primarily to set into motion the set objectives: to promote the welfare and interest of the MHCS seminary and alumni; to foster camaraderie and friendship among MHCS alumni both lay and cleric; and to serve as continuing link and as catalyst for growth and preservation of the MHCS as a great heritage, institution and legacy to the past, present and future generations.

          In February 24, 2004, as MHCS marked its 75th Diamond Jubilee, the Kabalens Foundation formed various working committees. Named as Overall Executive Chairman is Brig Francisco Bravo Commander of the 51st Engineer Brigade who has continued the massive rehabilitation of the MHCS along with rector Fr. Yden.

            As of February 20, General Bravo has spent close to P2.9 million for the following projects: grotto and landscaping; media agua/canopy; filling of south court; Audio-Visual Room; perimeter fence; upgrade of electric facility. With only close to P800, 000 donations to the projects.

            In June 2004, upon his rectory, Rev. Fr. Allan Morris T. Abuan took the initiative to continue the rehabilitation of the seminary. Worth more than a million were spent for the following projects: construction of the seminary gym on the north court; upgrade of classrooms, dormitories, shower and comfort rooms, chapel, canteen and school facilities; finishing of north court; and the landscaping and beautification of the seminary front.

            And so, we, present seminarians of MHCS, express our deepest and most sincere gratitude for all of their efforts.

            This is Mary Help of Christians Minor Seminary- our Alma Mater. It may not produce the desired number of priests, but that does not make it less of a seminary. Until now, it is a seedbed, not only of priests, but surely of good and loving Christian individual.

            MHCS MABUHAY!