About Us

During the latter part of 1953, then Archbishop of Manila, Most Rev. Rufino J. Santos, D.D. decided to put up an Archdiocesan High School Seminary to accommodate more boys with initial signs of priestly vocation. Four hectares of prime land overlooking Pasig River was designated to be its location. It covers the war ravaged Guadalupe Shrine and Augustinian Monastery. Rev. Fr. Frederick Linzenbach, SVD, Mr. Mariano Sideco, and Mr. Carlos Silva formed the construction team tasked to put up a four-storey building (dormitories, classrooms, library, a faculty building, an auditorium and a chapel).

Two years later, what was once a subordinate section of San Carlos Seminary was inaugurated and blessed by Rev. Msgr. Alfredo Poledrini, Charge d’ Affairs of the Apostolic Nunciature, during the feast of the Queenship of Mary, August 22, 1955. At yearend, the minor seminarians moved into their new home.

Henceforth, it came to be known as Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary. Rev. Fr. Oscar Deltour, CICM became its first Rector. He was ably assisted by other missionaries in the person of Rev. Fr. Camilo Marivoet, CICM as Prefect, Rev. Fr. Cornelio Schutter, CICM as Spiritual Director, Rev. Fr. Camilo Feys, CICM as Procurator, Rev. Fr. Andres Vanbeylen, CICM, Rev. Fr. Sylver Deltour, CICM, Rev. Fr. Georges Piron and Rev. Fr. Francis Te Marvelde as Professors. 

In 1970, Rev. Msgr. Justino Ortiz, H.P. was appointed the first diocesan Filipino Rector together with Rev. Fr. Clemente Lopez-(Prefect), Rev. Fr. Felipe Ocol- (Procurator), Rev. Fr. Danilo Pascual – (Principal), Rev. Fr. Jesus Cavanna, CM and Rev. Fr. Patricio Lim- (Spiritual Directors), Rev. Fr. Severino Anatalio, Rev. Fr. Manuel Gabriel, Rev. Fr. Agerico Galang and Rev. Fr. Antonio Tobias- (Professors).

Through the years, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Oscar Deltour, CICM (1955-58), Rev. Fr. Camilo Marivoet, CICM (1958-65), Rev. Fr. Andres Vanbeylen, CICM (1965-70), Rev. Msgr. Justino C. Ortiz (1970-74), Rev. Msgr. Antonio Tobias, P.C. (1974-82), Rev. Msgr. Francisco M. de Leon, P.C. (1982-85), Rev. Msgr. Norberto M. Habos, P.C. (1985-93), Rev. Msgr. Jovito Mejino, P.C. (1993-98), Rev. Msgr. Dennis S. Odiver (1998-2003), Rev. Fr. Rolando R. Agustin (2003-2005), Rev. Fr. Emerico Sixto Juan B. Garcia (2005 - 2024), and Rev. Fr. Jaime S. Marquez (2024 - Present).

This seminary propagates the spirit and tradition it has been established for, that is, to be a house of formation “where natural human virtues, basic religious values, Christian behavior patterns, sound study habits, community life orientation and appreciation for the priesthood are initially inculcated” (Philippine Program for Priestly Formation #73).

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary has indeed made a mark in the history of the Philippine Church for its significant and valuable contributions to the formation of lay leaders, religious and priests.