Seminarian Xavier Valbuena ordained deacon

Sem. Xavier Valbuena was received into the Order of Deacon in solemn rites officiated by Most Rev. Ernesto A. Salgado, D.D., Archbishop of Nueva Segovia, in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception School of Theology (ICST), Vigan City, June 28.

Rev. Xavier, who graduated from ICST in March, was ordained along with five other seminarians from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and Diocese of San Fernando (La Union). A Benedictine seminarian, who spent two years in ICST, joined the ordinandi.

Some 30 priests and 400 lay people, including the parents, relatives, benefactors and friends of the ordinandi, attended the ordination rites.

Son of Mr. & Mrs. Amable and Cristina Valbuena of Pinili, Ilocos Norte, Rev. Xavier finished his elementary education at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial School in his hometown. He began his seminary formation at St. Mary's Seminary, but obtained his bachelor's degree in philosophy, a preparatory course for theology, from St. Louis University in Baguio City.

Rev. Xavier spent one Spiritual Formation Year (SFY) and four years theological studies at ICST before his ordination to the diaconate.

He is presently assigned as a formator at St. Mary's Seminary, his alma mater.

When he is ordained to the priesthood, Rev. Xavier shall be the fourth priest to come from St. Isidore Parish, Pinili, an "Aglipayan country", after Fr. Joel Reynold Castillo (1998), Fr. Nolasco "Tom" Pascua, Jr. (2003), and Fr. Benedicto Pola, Jr., OC (2005).