Jump to content

St. Pius X Seminary

From Catholicism Wiki
Motto Instaurare Omnia in Cristo
Motto in English To restore all things in Christ
Type Private Seminary Catholic
Established 1957
Founder Bishop Antonio F. Frondoza
Affiliations Pian Alumni Association (SPXS Alumni), Sancta Maria, Mater et Regina, Seminarium, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Capiz
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic
Rector Rev. Fr. Dennis Dexter Sontillano
Location Pines Hills, Lawaan, Roxas City, Philippines
Hymn Hymn to St. Pius X
Colors White Yellow
Nicknames Pians, Bolanos

The Seminary of St. Pius X (Latin: Seminarium Sancti Pii Decimi), or St. Pius X Seminary (SPXS), is a Roman Catholic secondary school and seminary in the Lawaan Hills, Roxas City, Philippines, run by the Catholic priests of the Archdiocese of Capiz.[1] The seminary and its surrounding areas comprise some three hectares of rocky hills. Cardinal Jaime Sin was the first rector of the school.[2] In 1999, the college (Philosophy and Theology) of St. Pius X Seminary transferred to Cagay, Roxas City, and named the school Sancta Maria, Mater et Regina, Seminarium (SMMRS) to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.[3] SPXS decided to retain and maintain its high school and pre-college until 2012, pre-college was transferred to SMMRS.

History

The erection of the Diocese of Capiz on 28 May 1951 brought a need to train priests. But the meager financial resources of the young diocese made the proposed project a difficult one, considering that the bishop had no permanent residence yet. However, the late Bishop Antonio Frondosa, remained undaunted. Donors contributed to the bishop's residence, and for the 3.3 hectare lot for the seminary site. The first cornerstone of the Capiz Diocesan Seminary was laid on 13 August 1953, and the bishop's residence was inaugurated on the same day. On 3 September 1953, feast of St. Pius X, the first half of the seminary was blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Teofilo Camomot and Archbishop Jose Ma. Cuenco. Frondosa issued circular No. 3/57 on 31 May 1957 announcing the opening of the new diocesan seminary and appointing Jaime Sin as its first rector.[2]

Seven priests staffed the school in its first years with five lay teachers, and 33 seminarians. On completion, the seminary was blessed on 13 June 1959. Its curriculum, Classical Secondary Courses, was recognized by the Department of Education on 21 April 1961.

In 1999, the college (Philosophy and Theology) of St. Pius X Seminary transferred to Cagay, Roxas City, Capiz and named the school Sancta Maria, Mater et Regina, Seminarium (SMMRS) to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.[3] SPXS decided to retain and maintain its high school and pre-college.

Seminary Rectors

Rectors of Saint Pius X Seminary
Name Year
Rev. Msgr. Jaime Sin 1957-1967
Rev. Fr. Antonio Viray 1967-1968
Rev. Fr. Raul Jose Martirez 1968-1971
Rev. Fr. Vicente Navarra 1971-1979
Rev. Msgr. Daniel Viloria Jr. 1981-1995
Rev. Fr. Jose Advincula Jr. 1995-1999
Rev. Fr. Bernie Barrios (acting) 1999-2000
Rev. Fr. Job Bolivar 2000-2007
Rev. Fr. Edsel Delfin 2007-2010
Rev. Fr. Freddie Billanes 2010-ca. 2018
Rev. Fr. Berman Ibañez ca. 2018-2024
Rev. Fr. Dennis Dexter Sontillano 2024-present

Naming of batches

Pope Pius X is the patron saint of the school, but every section is obliged to have a corresponding patron saint. Batches who enter their first year with 36 or more seminarians are divided into two sections, hence, two patron saints per section. Fourth year seminarians are required to name their batch with a unique, notable name which they will carry on until college (SMMRS) or for the rest of their lives.

Pian Alumni Association

The St. Pius X Seminary Alumni Association, Inc. (Pian Alumni Association), or simply known as PIANS, is a non-profit and non-stock corporation whose membership is composed of all persons who have studied for at least one year in St. Pius X Seminary. It's not an ordinary alumni association because the seminary is not an ordinary educational institution created and incorporated solely under a national law, and regulated by the appropriate government agencies, such as the Philippines' Department of Education (DepED) and Education Service Contracting (ESC), but was also created under the laws of the Catholic Church and regulated by the Vatican, and administered by the bishop through his priests. Further, its purpose is not only to educate but also to train boys and young men for the presbytery and the future leaders of the church.

Since the opening of the seminary 61 years ago, there are usually ordinations every year. Six Pians have become bishops. Though the association is composed of Pians (SPXS Alumni), it is not a religious or ecclesiastical organization or corporation like the Children of Mary, Knights of Columbus and Couples for Christ.[4]

Notable alumni

Politics

  • Eleandro "Budoy" Madrona – Congressman of Romblon (1992-2001, 2007-2016).
  • Jocelyn Bolante – Politician who formerly served as an Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines.[5]
  • Vicente "Vic" Bermejo – Former provincial governor of Capiz and former mayor of Roxas City.[6]
  • Felipe Neri Yap – Mayor of Ivisan, Capiz.[7]
  • Gideon Ike Patricio – Former Mayor of the Municipality of Pilar
  • Gerard Montojo – Mayor of the Municipality of Romblon.[8]
  • Arnold Perez - Mayor of the Municipality of Pilar, Capiz.

Church

Others

  • Florentino D. Mabasa Jr.- Outstanding Aklanon Awardee (2008)[16]
  • Geoffrey M. Martinez – President & CEO of CareHealth Plus Systems International Inc.[17]
  • Dr. Raymund O. Conlu – Nuclear Medicine, St. Luke's Medical Center, BGC.[18]
  • Capt. Donaldo "Don" Mendoza – Asst. Dir. Gen for CAAP.[19]
  • Michael Alfred V. Ignacio – Career Commercial Diplomat/ Commercial Counselor and Director. The Philippine Trade and Investment Center, Philippine Consulate General Osaka[20][21]
  • Fernando V. Beup Jr. – DFA Director, Office of Strategy Planning and Policy Coordination, Formerly 2nd Secretary and Consul, Philippine Embassy in India.[22]
  • Melvin Cordenillo Almonguera – 2nd Secretary and Consul, Philippine Embassy in Brunei.[23]

Notable priest formators

  • Cardinal Jaime Sin - former Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila known for his instrumental role in the People Power Revolution, which toppled the regime of Ferdinand Marcos and installed Corazon Aquino as president of the Philippines. He was the first rector of St. Pius X Seminary.
  • Raul Quimpo Martirez - Bishop-Emeritus of San Jose de Antique and Outstanding Aklanon Awardee (2008)
  • Vicente Navarra - Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of Bacolod[24]

See also

  • List of Roman Catholic Seminaries

References

  1. Back to citation "Panoramio is no longer available".
  2. Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 "Jaime L. Sin | Encyclopedia.com".
  3. Back to citation occurrence 3.0 Back to citation occurrence 3.1 "Sancta Maria, Mater et Regina, Seminarium -, Roxas City, Capiz - Colleges and Universities".
  4. Back to citation Unknown
  5. Back to citation "Pinoy Fraternity". Archived from the original on 2011-07-15.
  6. Back to citation "I-site.ph - i site Resources and Information".
  7. Back to citation "Ivisan mayor to prioritize environmental protection".
  8. Back to citation "Romblon to give Aquino ashtrays". 9 January 2015.
  9. Back to citation "Most Rev. Jose F. Advincula, Jr. D.D., 3rd Metropolitan Archbishop of Capiz | Captivating Capiz – Roxas City Seafood Capital of the Philippines". Archived from the original on 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
  10. Back to citation "Cardinal-designate Advincula: Pope wants Church to tend to "peripheries" - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  11. Back to citation "Other Pontifical Acts".
  12. Back to citation "Pope appoints new bishop of Kalibo diocese | CBCP News". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011.
  13. Back to citation "Most Rev. Warlito I. Cajandig, D.d." Archived from the original on 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  14. Back to citation "Pope appoints new bishop of Lucena". 29 July 2017.
  15. Back to citation "Philippine Daily Inquirer - Google News Archive Search".
  16. Back to citation "Aklan Province: Outstanding Aklanon Awardees for 2008". Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
  17. Back to citation Unknown
  18. Back to citation "Raymund Augustus O. Conlu, MD".
  19. Back to citation "Ex-airline execs take over CAAP". 6 July 2016.
  20. Back to citation "Philippine Trade and investment Roadshow in Kolkata, India, highlights trade and investment opportunities with Indian businessmen | Invest Philippines". Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  21. Back to citation "PHILIPPINE TRADE & INVESTMENT CENTER TAIPEI". PHILIPPINE TRADE & INVESTMENT CENTER TAIPEI. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  22. Back to citation "PHL Crisis Management Teams Distribute Relief Goods to Filipinos in Nepal".
  23. Back to citation "Embassy of the Philippines in Brunei Darussalam | Embassy Personnel". Archived from the original on 2017-04-08. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  24. Back to citation "Most Rev. Vicente M. Navarra, D.d." Archived from the original on 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
Retrieved from "https://catholicism.wiki/index.php?title=St._Pius_X_Seminary&oldid=145472"