The seminary was founded on 15 December 1881 by the first Bishop of Acireale, Gerlando Maria Genaurdi.
[1][2] The building which houses the seminary was originally St. Martin's college and was acquired by a group of priests for the purpose of establishing a seminary for men from various dioceses of Sicily and southern Italy who were training for the priesthood.
Alessandro Amato, selected by Bishop Genaurdi on the advice of the Salesians.
Alessandro was a young priest with degrees in theology and philosophy which he had obtained from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
[4] Italian politician and priest, Don Luigi Sturzo was a resident of the seminary for three years from 1883 to 1886.