In the last nine years, Guam ordained seventeen priests following the ordination of Deacon Luis Venancio Benavente Camacho Jr. and Deacon Michael Vincent Jucutan to the sacred priesthood on November 9, 2013. Father Luis became the first Chamorro priest ordained from the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Seminary of Guam and the second Chamorro to be ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Guam. Father Richard Meno Kidd was ordained last July.
Of the seventeen priests ordained in the last nine years, thirteen of them have received their formation at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary which was erected in 1999. The Seminary has produced new priests who have served Guam in 2005 to the present day.
The Seminary was founded by Archbishop Anthony Apuron on December 8, 1999. According to the article in the weblink, which I provided below, the Seminary has three characteristics: 1) diocese, 2) missionary, and 3) international in nature. It is diocese because the priests formed here are for the diocese. It is missionary because some of these priests were sent on missions to announce the Gospel. It is international in nature because many of the seminarians come from different countries, and this helps them to go beyond their own native language, traditions, and culture, which would eventually aid in their missionary work. Priests who were ordained from the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Seminary not only performed the Mass for the Neocatechumenal Way, but also the regular Mass in the village church they are assigned to. Others such as Father Santiago and Father Fabio were sent to other countries to do missionary work. Christ sent the Apostles to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Sources:
http://umatuna.org/seventeen-priests-ordained-on-guam-in-nine-years
http://www.guampdn.com/guampublishing/special-sections/evangelization/pg1.html
who owns the seminary
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I have no idea whose name is on the tile. All I know from news report is that the seminary was established by the Archbishop on December 8, 1999. I also understand that since the establishment of that seminary, many priest have been ordained on Guam.
DeleteThe Pope owns the seminary just like all other Church parishes all over the world. Not just own by someone. The Pope is the largest land owner. It's in Church history.....
ReplyDeleteSome of the Protestant Christians often gripe about the wealth of the Catholic Church. They never said "the wealth of the Pope." The reason being because all the treasures and wealth of the Church does belong to the Catholic people. In the Vatican, all those art work and treasures belong to the people, and the Vatican holds tours so that people can view them.
DeleteAs I said, I don't know whose name is on the title of the seminary, but I do know that the seminaries also hold tours for the public. In fact, during the St. Patrick's celebration, the public was also invited to tour the grounds because many feel that the seminary in Guam really belongs to the people of Guam.