REMASE turns 50

The seminary is the heart of the diocese. This statement has always been emphasized by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D. even when he was still the Archbishop of Zamboanga. A seminary is really a treasure for a bishop in his local Church much more a theological seminary. But a greater cause of rejoicing is given to the local churches of Mindanao for on July 11, 2013, the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary will start its yearlong celebration of its golden jubilee with the theme, REMASE: We REcall, We MArvel, We SErve. Activities have been planned in view of the grand celebration which will be on July 11, 2014. The said activities would include a fun run for priesthood, concert tour around Mindanao of the REMASE official choir and a grand alumni homecoming for all the sons of REMASE. But how did the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary for Mindanao start?

Bishop Clovis Thibault, PME, the first bishop of Davao with his fellow PME priests after establishing a minor seminary in Davao made a move to have a major seminary for Mindanao. On November 27, 1961 Cardinal Pizarddo, then prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries, after hearing the report of the apostolic visitor in the St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary wrote a letter to Bishop Thibault. This letter planted the seed of what would eventually become the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao (REMASE). Another letter dated December 8, 1962 was sent announcing to the bishops of Mindanao including Bishop Thibault that the Sacred Congregation for Seminaries was planning to erect and constitute a major seminary for the needs of the local Churches of Mindanao.The St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary started to operate on July 11, 1964. The bishops of Mindanao-Sulu officially agreed to adopt REMASE as their responsibility on February 11, 1972.

Starting with only twenty-five philosophy and nine theology students REMASE has now produced 788 priests of which seven have become bishops that are now serving in the different dioceses in the Philippines especially here in Mindanao. They are Bishop Romulo T. dela Cruz, D.D., Bishop of Kidapawan, Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao, Bishop Guillermo V. Afable, D.D., Bishop of Digos, Bishop Sofronio A. Bancud, SSS, D.D., Bishop of Cabanatuan, Bishop Martin S. Jumoad, D.D. Bishop of Basilan, Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Cotabato and Bishop Elenito R. Galido, D.D., Bishop of Iligan.  The works and efforts of the seminary do not stop here. It looks forward to more years of producing diocesan and religious priests not just for the local churches in Mindanao but for the whole people of God. Truly, we recall, we marvel, we serve.

By Sem. Armand Aquino/Contributor