HISTORY

Our History

Maria Assumpta Seminary was established in 1964 as a minor seminary and was first managed by the Society of Divine Word (SVD), under the rectorship of the Very Rev. Liberato Z. Fernandez (1964-1971) and subsequently to Very Rev. William Neuhoffer (1971-1972).

In 1972, the administration was transferred to the care of the Diocese of Cabanatuan. The late Very Rev. Camilo Gregorio, Bishop Prelate Emeritus of Batanes, was the first diocesan priest appointed as Rector of Maria Assumpta Seminary (1972-1974).

In the succeeding years, most of the rectors appointed were already alumni priests of the Seminary: Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis (1981-1984), Rev. Msgr. Michael Alexander E. Balaria (1984-1985), Rev Fr. Francisco O. Algas, Jr. (1990-1995), Rev. Msgr. Michael Feliciano I. Veneracion (1995-1997), Rev. Fr. Edwin S. Beley (2001-2004) and Rev. Fr. Robert I. Dela Cruz (2005-2008), and Rev Fr. Isidro D. Puyat (2008-2014). Other appointed rectors were Rev. Fathers Omar R. Tabing (1985-1986), Regino M. Vigilia (1986-1990) and Raymund Gaspar (1998-2001). Rev. Fr. Noel J. Jetajobe, SSL is the current rector of the seminary.

On October 24, 1982, The Most Rev. Ciceron Tumbocon, D.D. was installed as coadjutor Bishop of Cabanatuan. He eventually succeeded the Most Rev. Vicente P. Reyes, D.D. and became the third Bishop of Cabanatuan on April 1983. By his aspiration and guidance, Maria Assumpta Seminary did not only serve as a formation house for minor seminarians but also a center of formation for lay leaders during the seminarians’ home-leave days. In 1988, the late Most Rev. Sofio G. Balce, Jr., DD, who was then the Coadjutor Bishop of Cabanatuan, succeeded the Most Rev. Ciceron Tumbocon, DD, and became the fourth Bishop of the Diocese. His reign as Bishop marked a new impetus and improvement in the history and existence of the Seminary.

By his leadership and the full support of the Clergy, an annex building, that now houses the chapel and the auditorium was built. Through local and foreign funding, new projects were initiated and new buildings-auditorium, dormitories, chapel, classrooms and other facilities were constructed.

The Bishop started a Pre-College Formation Year Program and subsequently, a four-year Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy course. The resolution to open the tertiary or college level was approved by the Board of Administrators in response to the insistent demand of the parents and faithful to the diocese in consideration of the difficulties met by seminarians in finding placement in other seminaries. With only fifteen (15) candidates for its first-year college level, all of whom had completed their secondary course and Pre-College Formation Year at MAS, the Bishop petitioned the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) for a permit to open the school year 1993-1994. The request was favorably granted.

Hence, on July 26, 1993, DECS issued Government Permit No. T-047, s. 1993 for the first year of the four-year course effective school year 1993-1994. Subsequent permits were later officially issued for the other curriculum year levels. School year 1996-1997 was indeed a significant year in the history of the Seminary for it marked the graduation of the first batch of its college seminarians.

By God’s grace and through the generosity of its benefactors, here and abroad, the Maria Assumpta Seminary has now evolved into a center of quality Secondary Education, Philosophical Studies and Formation not only for the Diocese of Cabanatuan but also for other Dioceses such as San Jose, Malolos, Bayombong, Tarlac, Iba and the prelature of Infanta (Quezon). Since 1967, its first year of graduation, it has continually been producing priests who serve the church either as Parish Priests or School Administrators of the Diocese of Cabanatuan and other Dioceses.

The seminary strives to provide the best environment for not only a seminarian's spiritual formation but also his human, intellectual, and pastoral formation. It is also committed to producing priests who will serve the poor and who will help in developing a community of disciples. It currently provides programs for the Junior High School, Senior High School, and College levels. The Senior High School department offers General Academic Strand (GAS). While the College department offers bachelor's degree programs in Philosophy and Pre-Divinity, and also Special Philosophy for College graduates and Young Professionals.