Media Release
Goa, Jun 18: His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman and the patron of the Pilar Theological Institute, recently inaugurated the new Academic and Formation year 2025-26 with the celebration of the Eucharistic celebration in the chapel of the All-India Mission Seminary.
In his homily, the prelate elaborated on the annual theme of the new seminary year – Journeying with hope: Encounter, Fellowship and Proclamation. He said that in life all undertake various types of journeys and in all these journeys it is hope that keeps them going. He further said that like the disciples of Emmaus, the faithful may sometimes feel lost, discouraged or unsure of where God is but Christ walks with them, he draws near, speaks to their hearts and renews their hope.
After the Eucharistic celebration, everyone gathered in the Br Albert’s Hall for the inaugural programme. Fr Norman Almeida, the rector of the mission seminary welcomed the gathering. He said that the inaugural is an important occasion for the entire formation community as it marks the beginning of yet another new year for learning, growth, and spiritual enrichment. During the programme the handbook for the year 2025-26 was released by His Eminence while the annual journal Euntes Docete was released by Fr Nazareth Fernandes, the superior general of the Society of Pilar. This was followed by the unveiling of the logo and the theme of the new seminary year.
An important aspect of the new academic year is the Lectio Brevis – the inaugural lecture. Fr John Bennet, who has completed his Licentiate in Liturgy from Sant’Anselmo University, Rome, presented on the topic ‘Christian Initiation in the Contemporary Scenario’. This session was aptly moderated by Dr Ivon Almeida, a professor at the Pilar Theological Institute. In his lecture Fr Bennet offered a theological and liturgical significance of Christian initiation within the Catholic tradition, particularly as it unfolds in the pluralistic and richly diverse cultural context of India.
He emphasized saying that the Indian context marked by religious diversity and deep-rooted traditions demands pastoral sensitivity to how baptism is approached and celebrated. While the church upholds baptism as a public and communal act, it also recognizes the need for pastoral prudence especially in settings where religious sentiments must be carefully respected. Fr Bennet said that pastoral movements such as the Kristu Bhaktam Movement, Ashram spirituality, and Anubhava theology offer culturally creative ways of nurturing Christian discipleship and spiritual growth.
These initiatives reflect a sensitive engagement with local traditions, fostering a faith that is both authentically Christian and respectful of the other religious ethos. Ultimately, the presentation affirmed the essential nature of baptism in the life of faith while encouraging flexible and dialogical approaches that uphold both the theological integrity and pastoral care within India’s richly diverse religious landscape. Later on, His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao and Fr Nazareth Fernandes spoke on the occasion encouraging the seminarians to journey with hope as they embark on yet another journey of the beginning of a new academic and formation year.
As part of the programme, the seminarians sang two chorals (Homeward bound and Naye bol) and played two instrumental pieces (Minuet in G and Sadbhav) under the baton of Fr Elvis Fernandes. Seminarian Aston Carvalho compered the programme while seminarian Biswajit proposed the vote of thanks. The programme concluded with the Pilar Anthem.