San Rafael Pre-College Seminary
The Mary Help of Christians College Seminary's name was taken from the existing Archdiocesan High School Seminary, also called Mary Help of Christians. The College Seminary traces its early beginnings with the San Rafael Pre-College Seminary which was established by the late Archbishop Federico G. Limon, SVD, DD in 1980. The Pre-College Seminary was established in response to the growing number of vocations from young men who did not undergo the High School seminary formation, but who expressed the desire to become priests. It was meant as a one year formation in preparation for the College Seminary.

Rev. Fr. Armando Magleo, Frt. Dominador Corrales and Rev. Fr. Roberto Villamil were the formators of the newly opened seminary. There were eight seminarians. The San Rafael Pre-College Seminary was housed at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center of Pangasinan (ACCP) adjacent to the present seminary building. The San Rafael Pre-College Seminary existed 1984.

The Mary Help of Christians College Seminary

In 1985, the the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary was formally opened for the school year 1985-1986. The MHCCS was founded to serve the growing need of the Archdiocese to train and form future priest on the college level for the diocesan priesthood. While it [is] primarily, though not exclusively, intended for the seminarians of Pangasinan, it is also open to other applicants from the other dioceses in the region. (From the Souvenir Program of the Inauguration of the of the Seminary Building, 18 November 1988). Rev. Fr. Victor Maynigo was the first Rector of the College Seminary.Thirty-three young men from La Union, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan stayed at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center of Pangasinan as college freshmen.

Late that same year, the construction of the future house of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary started.

By the Formation Year 1988-1989 the four year levels were now complete: 27 freshmen, 21 sophomores, 20 juniors and 18 seniors. It was also in this year that MHCCS received her official recognition from the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS).

On November 18, 1988 the inauguration of the newly-built MHCCS was held.

Rev. Fr. Felipe Matias was appointed the new Rector for the Formation Year 1990-1991. The whole community moved to the new building. Msgr. Orlando Sabangan succeeded Fr. Matias as Rector.

The advent of formation year 1992-1993 introduced new faces in the seminary. Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza now accepted the responsibility of rectorship. The Seminary Chapel was blessed on 18 October 1992 with His Excellency Msgr. Oscar V. Cruz, the newly-installed archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, as the principal presider.

In 1992, the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary took over the management of the St. John Press, which was formerly housed at the old Archbishop's Residence. The College Seminary envisioned that by putting up a viable printing press, it would be able to provide a steady source of support for the formation of our young men answering God's call to become His priest. (From the Prospectus of St. John Press).

The printing house is the former garage of the seminary alongside the seminary building. It was blessed in December 11, 1992 by Most. Rev. Oscar V. Cruz. The St. John Press is equipped with high-technology printing machines to provide better outcome for printing needs.

The Mary Help of Christians College Seminary has been serving the local churches of Pangasinan, as well as the Northen Luzon Church as a whole for the past 13 years. She hopes to bring about the fulfillment of her mission for years to come, for the greater glory God and of his Church.

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