Mangalore: St Joseph's Seminary Day Celebration Brings Joyful Tidings

Report: Praveen Joy Saldanha
Pics: Rollwin Aranha and Prashanth Prem Kumar

Mangalore, Dec 7: St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore marked its most august day of the year with the celebration of the ‘Seminary Day 2012’ here on Thursday December 6.

The rector of the seminary, Fr Joseph Martis, presided over the thanksgiving Eucharist and offered special prayers for the benefactors and donors of the seminary.

The public function commenced at 5.30 pm. Dr Varghese Chakkalakal, bishop of Calicut diocese presided over the programme. Bishop Varghese was on the staff of Jeppu Seminary until 2002, after which he was consecrated as the first bishop of Kannur diocese in 2002. Recently he was transferred to Calicut diocese. He invited the Seminary to become a lighthouse that guides the people of faith and people of good will.

Fr Joseph Martis, the rector, welcomed the gathering and presented the report. The report recalled the generous support given by the people. Currently 231 students hailing from 29 dioceses and 10 religious congregations are studying in Jeppu Seminary. In addition, 42 laity are attending weekend theology classes students.

Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore diocese launched the new Seminary website - http://www.stjosephseminarymangalore.org/. The annual magazine of the Seminary - ‘Unitas - 2012’ was released by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi diocese.

The English play ‘Pastor’s Pet’ captured the attention of the audience. The variety entertainment by the seminarians with well blended creativity was appreciated by one and all.

The alumni, neighbors, ecumenical leaders, relatives of the seminarians, benefactors, religious and laity participated in large numbers. Fr Antony George Pinto logistically coordinated the entire programme. The Mangalore seminary in its 134 years has been the Alma Mater for 2026 priests who have gone out of the portals of this seminary to various parts of India and overseas.

Many bishops in India prefer Mangalore Seminary for the formation of their candidates. This is the house of formation that makes every Mangalorean proud. The rector of the Seminary seeks prayers and financial assistance from the people of good will in training committed leaders who will serve not only the Catholic community but the community at large.