A History to Treasure

Diocese of Cabanatuan, created on the 18th of February in

1963, was canonically erected on June 3rd of the same year with
the Most Rev. Mariano Gaviola, D.D. as the first bishop. Aware of
the needs of the Diocese for an institution to form young boys
aspiring for the priesthood, the Most Rev. Mariano Gaviola, D.D.
founded the Maria Assumpta Seminary on February 17, 1964.
In 1967, the Most Rev. Vicente P. Reyes, D.D. installed as
the second Bishop of Cabanatuan, has since carried on and
expanded the house of formation. Through his leadership and full
support of the Clergy, an annex building for the chapel and
auditorium was built. In 1971, the administration of the seminary
was given to the diocesan clergy by the Society of the Divine
Word.
On October 24, 1992 the Most Rev. Ciceron SM. Tumbocon, D.D.
was installed as CO-Adjutor Bishop of Cabanatuan. He eventually
succeeded the Most Rev. Vicente P. Reyes, D.D. and became the
third Bishop of Cabanatuan on April, 1983. Through his
inspiration and guidance, the Maria Assumpta Seminary did not
only serve as Formation House of Minor Seminarians but also
became a center of Formation for lay Leaders during home-leave
days of the seminarians. The Most Rev. Ciceron SM. Tumbocon
dreamt of expanding the Maria Assumpta Seminary and improving its
facilities to accommodate more young boys desiring to enter the
seminary. Unfortunately, his dream did not materialize as he ill
and died.
In 1988, the Most Rev. Sofio G. Balce, Jr.,D.D. STD was
installed Co-Adjutor Bishop of Cabanatuan and he eventually
succeeded Most Rev. Ciceron SM. Tumbocon, D.D. This marked a new
impetus and improvement in the history and existence of seminary.
Through local and foreign funding, new projects were initiated
and new buildings- which included the auditorium, dormitories,
chapel, classrooms and other facilities- were built. Affirming
the need, the relevance and the importance of the institution and
seminary formation, His Excellency also embarked with great
determination and patience in Pre-College Formation Year Program,
and subsequently in the operation of a four-year course leading
to the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. The resolution to open the
tertiary or College level at Maria Assumpta Seminary was passed
by the Board of Administrators in response to the insistent
demand of the parents and the faithful of the diocese and in
consideration of the difficulties met by our college seminarians
in finding placement in other seminaries. With 15 candidates for
the First Year College who had all completed their secondary
course and Pre-College who had all completed their secondary
course and Pre-College Formation Year at MAS, His Excellency
petitioned the Department of Education, Culture and Sports for a
Permit to Open for the school year 1993-1994. The request was
favorably granted; hence, on July 26, 1993, the DepEd, Culture
and Sports issued Government Permit N0. T-047, s 1993 for the
first year of the 4-year course, effective school year 1993-1994.
Subsequent permit was later officially issued for the curriculum
year levels.
To date, we have 99 seminarians, divided as follows: 54 in
Junior High School, 30 in Senior High School, and 15 College, all
currently enrolled for this school year. By God’s grace and
through the generosity of our benefactors both here and abroad,
we take modest pride in the fact that MAS has now evolved into a
center of philosophical studies and formation not only for our
diocese but also for the diocese of san Jose, Bayombong, and the
Pleature of Infanta (Quezon).
With the improvement that is taking place, we look forward
to training seminarians more effectively to become pastors who
will selflessly guide and serve the people of God during
insurmountable challenges of our times.