Mangalore: St Joseph's Seminary Celebrates 'Seminary day'
Report By Rohan Lobo
Mangalore, Dec 3: St Josephs Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Mangalore celebrated its annual day today. The Seminary in its long years of forming apostles for India and other countries with the motto the administri salutis (ministers of salvation) brings its alumni, friends, benefactors, parents of seminarians, neighbours and friends together on this special day. It has formed more than 1930 priests in its history of 131 years. The annual day celebration provides an opportunity to all the Josephites to come together as a family and thank God for His blessings.
This occasion is also an opportunity to cherish the past memories for those priests who have studied here while they come back to their alma mater.
The celebration began yesterday, 2nd December 2009, with the cultural programme at 6.00 pm in the evening for which the people from the Seminary neighbourhood institutions came in plenty.
Today morning (3rd December 2009) the entire Seminary community gathered together in the Chapel for the celebration of the Thanksgiving Mass. It was preceded over by Most Rev. Dr. Henry D’Souza, the bishop of Bellary. In his homily the bishop urged the seminarians to take the example of St Francis Xavier in proclaiming the Gospel. He asked the seminarians to pray for a spark of fire like St Francis Xavier in order to give people the human dignity they deserve which is made available in Christ Jesus.
The Seminary day cultural programme began in the evening at 5.30 pm., with the prayer song led by the brothers of Pre- Philosophy. Very Rev. Fr. Victor Machado, the rector welcomed the guests and the gathering. Introducing the chief guest Most Rev. Dr Henry D’Souza, the Rector said that he studies at this seminary and there after he served Mangalore diocese as well as the church in India at various capacities and after his Episcopal ordination he has been serving in the diocese of Bellary. There after the Rector presented the report of the academic year that gave a bird’s eye view of the seminary activities.
Bishop Henry D’Souza, the chief guest, in his message encouraged the seminarians to inculcate missionary zeal in their life. He also asked the seminarians to be the prophets of Christ who are willing to serve the humanity community at large and also serving the community of Christ as community leaders as well as liturgical ministers.
There after began the cultural programme.
The Oriya dance gave the glimpse of North Indian tribal culture.
The Konkani Skit “Sargichio Sardar” by the members of Konkani academy summarised the life of great missionary late Fr. Korty who served in Naravi.
The Beschi Tamil academy performed a farmers’ dance.
The English one act play in five scenes “A Victim of the Seal” was woven around the life of a French priest who had to suffer a lot especially because of confessional seal.
The skit presented by the members of the Marthoma Malayalam Samajam was a reflection on the cultural gap hat exists in our society.
The Kannada Sangha presented Christmas tableau, which brought everyone in to the joyful Christmas season.
Deacons Ivan D’Souza and Therese Babu compeered the ceremony the ceremony. Rev. Fr. Peter Paul Saldanha coordinated the programme.