Historical Overview of the Minor Seminary

Good Shepherd and the Immaculate Conception

On September 2, 2005, the official inauguration of the diocesan Minor Seminary for the Prelature of Cancún-Chetumal took place at the former CECUCA (Catholic Cultural Center) in the city of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the seminary began its journey with 58 seminarians.

Approximately 7,000 faithful from different regions of Quintana Roo attended this solemn event. The ceremony began at 6:00 p.m. with a Holy Hour, during which several priests were available to hear the confessions of numerous faithful. This was followed by Holy Mass, presided over by Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo, L.C., and concelebrated by the bishops of southeastern Mexico: Bishop Jorge Bernal, L.C. (Emeritus Bishop of Cancún-Chetumal); Archbishop Emilio Berlie (Archbishop of Yucatán); Bishops Rafael Palma and Ramón Castro (Auxiliary Bishops of Yucatán); Bishop Benjamín Castillo (Bishop of Tabasco); and 54 priests of the Prelature.

During his homily, Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo invited the faithful to support the seminary both by promoting vocations and by providing material assistance for its ongoing needs. He summarized this invitation in three words: “Pray, work, and contribute.”

“With souls overflowing with joy and hearts filled with immense gratitude, we gather this afternoon. Today we are privileged to witness, as admiring spectators, hopeful believers, and faithful witnesses, the joyful fulfillment of this divine promise. Before our very eyes, the promise of the infinite, effective, and generous love of God our Lord is being fulfilled: ‘I will give you shepherds after my own heart.’”

“Here and now, a large group of courageous and generous young men, moved by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, have embarked upon the extraordinary adventure of following more closely in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus.”

“The Church can never cease asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest. The Church cannot fail to present a clear and courageous invitation to a vocation to the new generations, so that they may respond generously.”

“But, dear brothers and sisters, the Church is all of us. Therefore, we are all responsible for the seminary. The seminary belongs to everyone. The seminary is yours. The seminary is in your hands. The seminary needs your prayer, your work, and your support. Pray, work, and contribute.”

After Mass, and before the dinner prepared for the seminary’s principal benefactors and several civil authorities, the facilities of the Minor Seminary were blessed.

To conclude the day’s celebrations, Archbishop Emilio Berlie of Yucatán addressed words of congratulations and encouragement to all those present, especially the seminarians. He encouraged them to be generous, emphasizing Christ’s words: “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” He also urged them to cultivate their life of prayer, their union with Christ, and their trust in their superiors as an effective means of overcoming temptation and persevering in their vocation.

The Minor Seminary was founded on August 6, 2005, in the city of Chetumal.

The religious ceremony was described by local media as unprecedented, particularly because of the extraordinary participation of the faithful.

The foundation of the Minor Seminary represented an important step in consolidating the structures of the Prelature. Behind its establishment were more than 30 years of waiting and dedicated work, led principally by Bishop Jorge Bernal, L.C.

With the foundation of the seminary, Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo, L.C., also saw one of the most pressing aspirations of his pastoral ministry become a reality: the promotion of strong and abundant vocations to the priesthood.