Inauguration of the academic year 2013-2014

"Formation is a period to grow through and not to go through," was the chief message of Fr Kuthanapallil Sebastian (K.M. Sebastian), the president of the Inaugural Mass and ceremony, on June 12, 2013. During the Inaugural Mass of the academic year 2013-2014, Fr K. M. Sebastian, a former Rector of the Seminary himself, challenged the students basing himself on the theme of the 'call of the twelve apostles' during the Mass. Later, during the inaugural address, he invited the students to make right choices in life and vocation.

Fr Jose Maliekal, the Rector, in his words of welcome, offered the community triggers for reflection and living, from the words of Pope Francis' imagery of the shepherd. He stated that the Priest is one who ought to be able to smell his sheep and that the people must be able to smell their shepherd.  He also exhorted the Brothers to make Christ, and the Spirit, the foundation of all that we undertake this academic year.

Fr Wilson Jose, the principal presented the highlights and achievements of the previous academic year in his annual report.  The meritorious work of students who scored highest marks during the last academic year was appreciated through prizes.  Brs M. Bhanu, A. Rakesh and P. Ravi Teja from the III course and Brs A. Manoj, P. Avinash and Y. Rajasekhar from the II course were felicitated for the same.

The message of the president of the inaugural ceremony, Fr K. M. Sebastian, was however the most memorable part of the day.  He emphasized the need of growing in freedom and making right choices. He encouraged the students to give their best in everything, especially in their studies. "A good priest is a blessing for the people, when he is competent and available," he added.  He reiterated his point asking the students to love everything, not because we have to, but because we choose to.

[Br M. Bhanu]

Recollecton - August 2010

The recollection for this month of August 2010 was preached by Fr Prathap, the Parish Priest of St Anthony's Church, Vizianagaram. Riding on the rich experience of his pastoral ministry and proud of his Salesian formation at Poonamalle, Tamil Nadu, the points he stated were very practical and integral aspects of formation and growth process of a candidate to Priestly life. His whole talk and sermon was centred on the formation of moral consciousness. Listing various obstacles that hinder one from getting our moral principles right, he elaborated the ways of overcoming the same using basic and non-negotiable elements of our vocation. His ready references to the Scripture, persons of the Biblical age, example from his pastoral experience and instances in the present Seminary life made his presentation of ideas very grounded and understandable. The two points he stressed above all: the necessity to live our life by the dictum Do good and avoid evil. Secondly, one ought to take responsibility for one's own life and formation.

He also presided over the concluding Eucharistic celebration at 7.15. In the meanwhile the community had an opporutunity to make its individual confession to any of the five priests available.