AS THE San Jacinto Seminary in Tuguegarao, Cagayan undergoes a major renovation to prepare itself for the forthcoming arrival of 400 minor seminarians from all over the Philippines in 20l0, the history of the seminary reveals that two Dominican priests who used to teach there were killed during the religious persecution in Spain from l933 to l937.

They and other Dominican priests were beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in October 2007.

The eight priests are called the ?blessed martyrs,? but the University of Sto. Tomas has also coined the words ?UST martyrs? because the priests studied and taught in UST.

Blessed Pedro Ibañez Alonso, OP, taught in Colegio de San Jacinto in May l924; Blessed Inocencio Garcia Diez, OP, moved from the Convent of Sto. Domingo in Intramuros to the seminary in Tuguegarao on June l2, l903.

Another Dominican priest, Blessed Maximino Fernandez Marinas, OP, became parish priest of Alcala, Cagayan in June, l893. In May l896, he was moved to Sanchez Mira, where he was captured by the Katipuneros on Aug. 28, l898.

Later, the priest was transferred to Ilocos, then later Bayombong, where Governor Fernando Canon took care of him and another priest, Fr. Carazo, due to their poor health. In May l902, Fr. Marinas took the boat to Spain and was assigned in the Convent of Sto. Domingo in Ocaña.

Father Eman Quintos, assistant parish priest of Parish of the Guardian Angel in Tuao, Cagayan, gave me the book on ?The UST Martyrs? prepared by the UST Central Seminary.

History

The history of San Jacinto Seminary began in l9l7 when Tuguegarao Bishop Santiago Sancho noticed that there were very few young men from Cagayan joining the priesthood.
The seminary department opened in l9l8 and offered humanities, philosophy and theology. Friar Julio Vicente was appointed rector, and the faculty members were young Dominicans from Rosaryville, Louisiana.

In l96l, the cornerstone of a new seminary was blessed and inaugurated in Alimannao Hills in Peñablanca. The construction was the project of Bishop Teodolfo Domingo and Fr. Diosdado Talamayan, secretary to the bishop. It was finished in l968. The first rector was then Monsignor Miguel Purugganan, who later became bishop of Ilagan, Isabela.

The present rector is Auxiliary Bishop Ricardo Baccay. The San Jacinto Seminary is the only minor seminary in Cagayan Valley with ll7 seminarians to date. St. Thomas Aquinas, the major seminary, is in Aparri, Cagayan. The minor seminarians will meet other seminarians (about 400) from other provinces in the Philippines for a sportsfest in 20l0. This is one of the highlights of the centennial celebration of the archdiocese.

Our Lady of Piat

The Devotees of Nuestra Señora de Piat Foundation is inviting the public to the special fiesta Mass of Our Lady on July 4, 9 a.m. at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City.

Auxiliary Bishop of Tuguegarao Ric Baccay will concelebrate the Mass with Fr. Bong Cabrera and two priests from the Eucharistic Healers of Mary (EHM). After the Mass, breakfast will be served on the second floor of the Sto. Domingo Pastoral Center. Breakfast is at P200.

A raffle to raise funds for the restoration of the San Jacinto Seminary in Tuguegarao will take place. First prize is a Toyota Vios. To buy tickets, text Tita Rose 09l75389938 or call Kim at the Piat office, 72l9854. Raffle tickets are P500 each.

Tribute to Fr. Reuter

Tenor Frankie Aseniero and fellow artists, together with the Music Foundation of the Philippines, will give a tribute to Fr. James Reuter in a concert on July 4, 7 p.m. at the Philamlife Auditorium.

The ?One with You Forever? concert recognizes Fr. Reuter?s contributions to the arts, theater and his untiring service to the Filipino people.

To perform are Leo Martinez, Chinggoy Alonzo, Karla Gutierrez, Rachelle Gerodias, Fides Cuyugan Asensio and the Ateneo Alumni Glee Club, among others. Leo Rialp directs.