Council of Formators
“The seminary is an immense and demanding gift, but you are never alone on this journey. God, the saints and the whole Church walk with you, and in a special way your bishop and your formators, who help you to grow “until Christ be formed in you” (Gal 4:19). Receive their guidance and correction as gestures of love”.
Letter from the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Archdiocesan Major Seminary of San Carlos y San Marcelo in Trujillo, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of its founding, May 11, 2025
Bishop Gary W. Janak, JCL - Rector
Most Reverend Gary W. Janak, JCL was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Victoria on May 14, 1988. He has served in parishes in Victoria, Yoakum and El Campo, and rector/pastor of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory. In addition to his parish assignments, he has served as Vicar General and Chancellor for the Diocese of Victoria. He is the co-founder and past executive director of The Emmaus Center, the counseling and spiritual direction center for the Diocese of Victoria. On February 15, 2021, he was appointed by Pope Francis as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, where he serves as Archdiocesan Chancellor and Rector of Assumption Seminary. Bishop Gary has earned graduate degrees in divinity, canon law and counseling. He is licensed by the State of Texas as a professional counselor.
Msgr. Rigoberto de Guzman, STL - Vice Rector & Dean of Men
Msgr. Rig comes from the Diocese of Antipolo - situated east of the Archdiocese of Manila, Philippines. He was ordained a priest on June 25, 1992, and received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University in 1996 , after studying in Rome for two years. Msgr. Rig served as a Seminary Formator and a Theology Professor for at least 3 years before being moved to the Cathedral of the Diocese of Antipolo as rector. He was the Vicar General of that Diocese for more than 19 years - serving under the administration of its past 4 bishops. In the Fall of 2021, after 29 years in the priesthood, he was allowed to attend the Ministry- to- Ministers Sabbatical Program at Oblate School of Theology. Negotiations were done between his diocese and the Archdiocese of San Antonio for Msgr. Rig to serve as a formator at Assumption Seminary. He started his seminary ministry at Assumption in the fall of 2023, and was recently named vice-rector.
Rev. Marcos Ramos, OP, PhD - Coordinator of Spiritual Formation
Fr. Marcos Ramos, O.P. was born in Puerto Rico and is a member of the Saint Martin de Porres Province (southern Dominican Province) of the United States. He got a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of Puerto Rico, an MA-MDiv degree from the Aquinas Institute of Theology, and a ThM and PhD in historical theology from the University of Saint Michael’s College in Toronto. At this moment he is a full time instructor at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio as well as a formator and coordinator of music and liturgy at Assumption Seminary. Fr. Marcos is also the main celebrant at Mission Concepción. Fr. Marcos’ academic and personal interests are related to preaching, Patristics theology, music and film. He has being doing pastoral ministry as part of his charism as a Dominican friar in both the United States and Canada, and has been promoter of permanent formation and regent of studies in his province.
Rev. Vipin George, MA, M.Phil. - Formator
Fr. Vipin George is a priest of the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales (MSFS), hailing from India. He was ordained in 2007 and has since gained valuable experience across various ministries, including parish work, formation, and education. After arriving in the United States in 2022, he served as the parochial vicar at Holy Rosary Parish in Rosenberg, Texas, in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for two years. Fr. Vipin holds three bachelor's degrees and a master's degree in English literature with a focus on communication studies. Additionally, he has completed a year of research in English language and communication studies, emphasizing his commitment to academic and pastoral excellence. On August 5, 2024, he joined the formation team at Assumption Seminary, where he currently serves as the Director of Spiritual Life and Co-Director of the Discipleship stage of formation. His diverse background and experience enrich the seminary community, guiding and supporting future leaders in their spiritual and academic journeys.
Sr. Constanza Fernández, F.Sp.S. - Director of Studies
Sr. Constanza is originally from Mexico City has belonged to the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit since 1994, a Mexican congregation whose charism is to cultivate priestly vocations. She holds a BA in Education and studied Philosophy and Theology at the Università Urbaniana of Rome. She is a certified Spiritual Director by Oblate School of Theology. She has served in Mexico and Chile in Youth and Vocation ministry, and the formation of the laity. She was Formation Director of postulants in her Congregation for nine years. Sr. Constanza served as a member of the Pastoral Team and Faculty of MACC (Mexican American Catholic College) for five years, coordinating different projects and giving workshops on Intercultural Competencies. She also collaborated with Catholic Extension as part of the Spiritual Direction Team for Hispanic Catholic Sisters. In August 2024, Sr. Constanza joined the Assumption Seminary Formation Team as Director of Academic Studies, Language and Intercultural Competency Development.
Rev. Rafal Duda - Formator
Fr. Rafał Duda was is originally from Poland . Prior to entering the priesthood, Fr. Rafał was known for his soccer skills, playing both in his senior year of high school, and even professionally for a team in Bytom for some time. In 1999 Fr. Rafał was accepted to The Assumption Seminary in Opole, and was ordained a priest in Gliwice in 2005. Fr. Rafał came to San Antonio in July of 2017. leaving his family in Poland. In July 2025, Fr. Rafał joined the Assumption Seminary and Emmaus House of Formation teams as a formator.
Rev. Tomichan Moonnanappillil, MSFS, PhD - Emmaus House Director
Fr. Tomichan Moonnanappillil, MSFS, is a priest of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, originally from Kerala, India, and currently serving in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. With 27 years of priestly ministry, he has served in a wide range of pastoral and educational roles, including 14 years in Northeast India. He holds a master’s degree in Sociology from Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, a professional degree in Education from Guwahati University, a master’s in Family Counseling from IONA College, New Rochelle, New York, and a doctorate in Clinical Counseling from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio. His academic and ministerial work focuses on integrating counseling into seminary formation, with particular emphasis on healing early life experiences and enhancing human formation. In the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Fr. Tomichan serves as Adjunct Vicar for Clergy, Director of Ongoing Formation, and Director of the Propaedeutic Program at Emmaus House of Formation, Assumption Seminary. For the past eight years, he has been engaged in seminary formation, complemented by periods of pastoral ministry. Through his ministry, he seeks to foster a culture of ongoing growth in holiness, learning, and selfless service within the Church and presbyterate.
Martín Martinez, MA - Admissions & Emmaus House Associate Director
Martín de Jesús Martinez is a member of the formation team at Assumption Seminary where he has served for the past 13 years. He is the chair of admissions, and coordinator of the pastoral ministry program for the seminary. He presently serves as Associate Director of the Emmaus House of Formation Propaedeutic program at Assumption Seminary. Martín was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He has worked many years in a variety of parish ministries including faith formation, catechist training, and music ministry. He received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from St. Edward's University in Austin, with a minor in International Studies, and later completed his master’s degree in Systematic Theology at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Along with his parish ministries, Martín also served for 10 years offering workshops on Hispanic Ministry, Faith and Culture, and Leadership at the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC). Prior to joining MACC, he was the Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at San Antonio College. Martin is married and has four children.