History

The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Seminary was established in the year 1962, under the patronage of the late bishop, Most Reverend Bishop Quentin Olwell, C.P. D.D., the first Prelate Ordinary of Marbel. The funds for building the seminary came from the Sweeney Family Estate of Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA, through the personal intervention of Rev. Stephen Sweeney, C.P.

The seminary was still unfinished by 1963. The completion of the seminary was done by the Passionist Missionaries in the Philippines working in South Cotabato. While sowing the Word of God in the rich soil of the province, they did not forget their prime obligation, that of cultivating the native clergy. Through the efforts of the Passionist Fathers and the donation of generous people, the seminary was finally completed.

The seminary was formally opened with a solemn blessing officiated by no other than Most Rev. Salvatore Siino, then the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines.

The first batch of minor seminarians numbered 40. The number increased every year until it reached 81. The seminary was headed by the late Fr. Justinian Gilligan, C.P., the first Rector of the seminary. He was assisted by Rev. Fr. Herbert Eberly, C.P., the first Spiritual Director of the seminary, then later by Fr. Antonio Magbanua, the first diocesan priest, assisting as the Prefect of Discipline. Aside from holding their respective offices, the Fathers were also serving as class room teachers together with some lay teachers to the seminarians. Few years later, Fr. Theodore Walsh, C.P. relieved Fr. Herbert as the Spiritual Director. Frs. Justinian and Theodore continued to administer the Seminary until 1972.

The seminary started as a minor seminary, admitting both high school and college students. But in 1972 the high school department was phased out for two major reasons: lack of funds and much higher mortality or dropouts in high school. So, in 1969, the first year was closed, then the second year was closed the following year. The third year was closed in 1971 and finally, the whole high school department was totally closed in 1972. It was also the time that the term of Fr. Justinian as Rector ended after serving for ten productive years. During the same year, the academic formation of the college seminarians was transferred to Notre Dame of Marbel College.New priests took over the administration of the Seminary: Fr. Justin Garvey, CP, as rector and Fr. Vicente Sorondo as the first Filipino Spiritual Director. They administered the seminary for three years. After them, Fr. Alban Harmon, CP took over as Rector and Fr. Ronan Callahan CP, as Spiritual Director. The Passionist Fathers administered the seminary until 1975.

The year 1975 was remarkable for the Diocesan Clergy. It was the year that the administration of the seminary was handed to them. Fr. Romeo Buenaobra became the first Filipino Rector and Fr. Jose Facura as Spiritual Director assisted him. But Fr. Buenaobra was then sent to Manila for further studies, so he was replaced by Fr. Rosalio Muñasque who was responsible in beautifying the seminary grounds and in planting bananas and fruit trees to its surrounding. Fr. Fred Maghanoy took the place of Fr. Facura as spiritual director for the latter had a new parish assignment. Fr. Fred was busy in looking for more vocations. In 1980 the terms of Fr. Muñasque and Fr. Maghanoy ended.Many priests became seminary formators after them.