SVST: A fragment of History
Since their arrival in the Philippines in July 1862, the Vincentians totally dedicated themselves to the formation of the diocesan clergy. There was a time in the history of the Philippine Church when they administered all the major diocesan seminaries in the country. While big congregations handled the central seminaries in Manila, the Vincentians established and administered diocesan seminaries in remote provincial centers. The first Filipino bishops – Jorge Barlin of Naga, Juan Gorordo of Cebu, Pablo Singson of Calbayog, and those that followed them, like Jaime Cardinal Sin and some present bishops, not to mention the thousands of priests who are exemplary pastors of remote towns and villages – were all recipients of Vincentian formation.
Together with the formation of the clergy, the Vincentians also trained lay people as the seminaries which they handled were also called ‘colegio-seminarios’ – the only higher institutions of learning in remote provinces outside Manila. The Vincentians’ role in nation building was to educate these lay people who later became the trusted leaders of the country.
In the present times, when the diocesan clergy already administers the own diocesan and regional seminaries, the St. Vincent School of Theology presents itself as one response to the contemporary needs of the theological and pastoral formation in local churches. Founded in 1985, SVST first offered a program of formation for diocesan and religious seminarians. In 2003, it reinvented its own vision and opened its programs to religious sisters and brothers, and to lay people interested in theology. True to their mission of formation from the start, the Vincentians continue to form ministers for the Church of the poor in the Philippines and Asia today.
Together with the formation of the clergy, the Vincentians also trained lay people as the seminaries which they handled were also called ‘colegio-seminarios’ – the only higher institutions of learning in remote provinces outside Manila. The Vincentians’ role in nation building was to educate these lay people who later became the trusted leaders of the country.
In the present times, when the diocesan clergy already administers the own diocesan and regional seminaries, the St. Vincent School of Theology presents itself as one response to the contemporary needs of the theological and pastoral formation in local churches. Founded in 1985, SVST first offered a program of formation for diocesan and religious seminarians. In 2003, it reinvented its own vision and opened its programs to religious sisters and brothers, and to lay people interested in theology. True to their mission of formation from the start, the Vincentians continue to form ministers for the Church of the poor in the Philippines and Asia today.
