News: Jason Monis
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (RX)
Mangalore, Dec 5: St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore marked its utmost golden letter day of the year as it celebrated the Seminary Day 2010 with myriad feelings of joy at its premises, here on Thursday December 2.
The seminary day celebrations started with the Eucharistic celebration in the Seminary Oratory, celebrated by Fr Binay Kandulna, the Auxiliary bishop of Ranchi. Bishop Binay is an old student of Mangalore seminary ordained in 1994 and he was consecrated as bishop on May 1, 2009.
During the homily he recalled his good old days spent in his alma mater.He gave a call to the seminarians to build their life on rock foundation of Jesus Christ. He reminded the students that Jesus speaks to us through words and events and he invited them to read the signs of the times in responding to their missionary call.
Fr Binay, while appreciating the formation given in Mangalore seminary, pointed out that this seminary is one of the best all over India with a blend of human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral formation. He also highlighted the role of the laity in training priests for the future of the church. He asked the priests and seminarians to focus on holiness and spirituality as top priority of their life.
The cultural programme commenced at 5.30 pm in the evening. Fr Biany Kandulna was the chief guest. Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the bishop of Mangalore and the chairman of the board of administration of the seminary was present. Fr Joseph Martis, the rector, welcomed the gathering and presented a comprehensive report of the seminary activities.
In his report, the rector also mentioned that currently there are altogether 234 students in the seminary hailing from 29 Dioceses, six religious congregations for men and women and a laity. Out of these, 195 are resident students and 39 day scholars.
The English play ‘A Saint in a hurry’ on the vocation and mission of St Francis Xavier was widely appreciated by the audience. The seminarians presented variety entertainment bringing out the best of various local cultures of India from North to the South.
The cultural programme was organized in the open air within the seminary precincts. The well attired creativity and the beautifully arrayed variety of program amply thrilled the audience. The annual Seminary Day celebration is an opportunity for the seminarians to thank the Almighty for the manifold blessings and also an occasion to the alumni to their alma mater. It gives an opportunity to the seminarians to exhibit their talents through a cultural programme and also an opportunity to closely associate with people of good will in the vicinity.
Deacon Paul C compered the programme. Fr John Baptist Saldanha logistically co-ordinated the entire programme.
About the Seminary
The prestigious institution has 132 years history of forming priests for missions all over India under the motto administris salutis (ministers of salvation).
First established in 1763 at Monte Mariano, some 13 kms east of Mangalore town, the present seminary at Jeppu came into being on January 11, 1879 after having passed through Carmelite and Jesuit administrations following the period of Christian persecution under Tipu Sultan.
Initially started as a Mangalore diocesan Seminary, St Joseph's became an Inter-Diocesan institution with the bifurcation of the diocese into Mangalore and Calicut dioceses in 1923. On June 1, 1995 the Society of Jesus handed over the administration of the seminary to the Inter-Diocesan board.
It has formed 1930 priests for the church of India and abroad.