History of the Seminary
In the spring of 1959, a significant development unfolded in the Catholic Church's mission in the Philippines. Very Rev. Fr. General, Frans Sercu, appointed Fr. Tom Letschert as the rector of a new seminary. This appointment was formally accepted by the Bishop of Surigao in a letter dated March 27, 1959, although the official appointment papers were dated April 26, 1959. On that same day, the Bishop issued a declaration establishing the "Nostrum Seminarium Sancti Petri" in Ampayon, Butuan City, thereby formalizing the seminary's foundation.
The contract between the Bishop of Surigao and Fr. Provincial, CICM, regarding the management of the seminary by the Scheut Fathers, was signed on March 31, 1959. Shortly thereafter, Fathers Letschert and Vranken arrived in the Philippines, traveling by plane to Surigao. During a brief stopover in Buenavista, the former airport of Butuan City, they met the Bishop on April 23 and were warmly welcomed by the MSC Fathers of Butuan City.
Due to the dilapidated condition of the convento in Butuan, which could not accommodate them for the night, the two priests proceeded to Cabadbaran, passing by the seminary on their way. The following morning, they arrived at the seminary, which was little more than a building in need of finishing touches and furnished only with a desk. On April 27, the Bishop arrived with approximately 50 boys, potential candidates for entrance into the seminary. As the furniture arrived gradually, a generator was installed in May, providing electricity and running water for the new institution. By early June, 14 boys began their first year of Latin studies.
On August 30, 1959, a significant milestone was reached when the Bishop blessed the first wing of the seminary in a ceremony attended by a select group of guests. In September, Very Rev. Fr. Provincial and Fr. Van Nieuwenhoven visited the seminary and its pioneers. However, shortly thereafter, some difficulties arose between the rector and the Bishop, primarily concerning the financial management of the seminary. Fortunately, these issues were resolved amicably.
To support the growing seminary community, Fr. Andre Dhondt was appointed as a professor upon his return from Belgium after a short vacation.
Due to the dilapidated condition of the convento in Butuan, which could not accommodate them for the night, the two priests proceeded to Cabadbaran, passing by the seminary on their way. The following morning, they arrived at the seminary, which was little more than a building in need of finishing touches and furnished only with a desk. On April 27, the Bishop arrived with approximately 50 boys, potential candidates for entrance into the seminary. As the furniture arrived gradually, a generator was installed in May, providing electricity and running water for the new institution. By early June, 14 boys began their first year of Latin studies.
On August 30, 1959, a significant milestone was reached when the Bishop blessed the first wing of the seminary in a ceremony attended by a select group of guests. In September, Very Rev. Fr. Provincial and Fr. Van Nieuwenhoven visited the seminary and its pioneers. However, shortly thereafter, some difficulties arose between the rector and the Bishop, primarily concerning the financial management of the seminary. Fortunately, these issues were resolved amicably.
To support the growing seminary community, Fr. Andre Dhondt was appointed as a professor upon his return from Belgium after a short vacation.
His role was to teach Latin and alleviate some of the burdens on Fr. Letschert, who also served as procurator, and Fr. Vranken, who was both a professor and prefect. At Fr. Vranken's request, the role of prefect was assigned to Fr. A. Dhondt, as noted in a letter from Rev. Fr. Provincial to the rector dated May 10, 1960. The second school year commenced following a second free trip to the seminary, which attracted around 80 boys. Enrollment for the year included 10 boys in the second year, 9 in the first year, and 2 in special Latin, totaling 21 students. However, internal conflicts prompted Rev. Fr. Provincial to appoint Fr. Rafael Dhondt to replace Fr. Tom Letschert. Fr. Rafael arrived in (Please use these images as the cover photo for the ABOUT section) Butuan City on August 30, 1960, and was warmly welcomed by the community of Fathers. The Bishop formally appointed him on September 12, 1960. Meanwhile, construction of the second wing of the seminary, which had been delayed due to disagreements and the lack of a definitive plan, began on August 18, 1960. The new rector took on the role of prefect, while Fr. Vranken became the procurator and oversaw the new construction. Fr. A. Dhondt was appointed as the spiritual director. The school year concluded with 19 boys remaining. As Rev. Fr. Provincial was unable to send another priest to bolster the seminary staff, the Bishop agreed to appoint one of his young diocesan priests, Fr. Sator, to the seminary. The Bishop informed the rector of this decision on April 7, 1961.
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After serving in various parishes, Fr. Sator arrived at the seminary on May 25, accompanied by 15 "old-timers." Another free trip at the beginning of the vocation brought around 50 boys to the seminary, but the school year 1961-62 began with an enrollment of 30 boys: 18 in the first year, 4 in the second year, and 7 in the third year. The new wing was gradually occupied by the end of the vacation and the beginning of the school year, although the dining hall and kitchen awaited the arrival of a new stove. A momentous occasion arose with the Silver Jubilee of the Bishop and the visit of the Papal Nuncio, Msgr. Sino, to Surigao and Butuan City. This event was chosen for the blessing of the seminary, which was performed by the Nuncio in the presence of six bishops, including Msgr. Brasseur, and Fr. Linssen, who represented Rev. Fr. Provincial. The blessing of the second wing took place on August 11, 1961. The painting of the interior of the first wing began on July 27, 1967, with the exterior having been completed more than a year earlier.
Mission and Vision
VISION
As an institution of learning and of formation devoted primarily to prepare Filipino young men for theological studies and eventually for sacred priesthood. Saint Peter College Seminary envisions that the candidate for priesthood. Saint Peter College Seminary envisions that the candidate for priesthood will be holy, capable of critical thinking and with passion to serve the people characterized by the following dimensions in formations:
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Active participation in actualizing individual and collective potentials thru sustainable and progressive human development formation: (Human Dimension)
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Deep spiritual rootedness: (Spiritual Dimension)
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Excellent academic instruction and discipline: (Academic Dimension)
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Genuine responsiveness of the needs and aspirations of the church: (Pastoral and Ecclesial Dimension)
MISSION
Saint Peter College Seminary is committed to promote and develop vocation to the priesthood in an integral and holistic way. Its mission is to form young men in order to strengthen their spirituality, enhance their academic capacity, discipline and virtue of obedience, immerse themselves to apostolic life, and enhance physical, intrapersonal and interpersonal interpretation in preparation for their priestly ministry and Christian witnessing.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
The seminary aims at forming men whose lives find their center in personal and transformative communion with God in Christ, and who seek to unite themselves with God’s saving will in all aspects of their lives, especially through participation in the mission of Christ as an ordained minister of the Church.
HUMAN FORMATION
The seminary aims at forming men of virtue, of human excellence and goodness of character, founded on psycho-emotional integration, and modeled on Christ’s example of authentic humanity.
INTELLECTUAL FORMATION
Seminary formation aims at forming men with a deep understanding of the mysteries of faith, a capacity for ongoing theological reflection, and pastoral skills and competence, in the context of Church and society in the Philippines and Asia, for the sake of the mission of evangelization.
PASTORAL FORMATION
The seminary aims at forming men with a deep commitment to and sufficient competence for pastoral leadership and service, especially of the poor and suffering, in union with Christ the Good Sheperd and the shepherds in the Church, towards the building up of the Local Church in communion and mission.
Our Team
Drew Carlyle
Position / Role
Jordan Parker
Position / Role
Max Johnson
Position / Role
Drew Carlyle
Position / Role