St. Joseph’s Ponthifical seminary CARMELGIRI:
In compliance with the request of the KCBC, made on June 5, 1995, for separate campuses on the basis of Rites, the Holy See has, without prejudice to the Pontifical Institute, Alwaye, which remain common to all the three Rites, on 7th October 1996, reorganized Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye. In view of promoting better formation in matters of Liturgy, spirituality and tradition of each sui iuris Church, the Carmelgiri campus was assigned to the Latin Rite.
Today not just the Latin students of the diocese of Kerala but also those outside the State and the religious have access to this Seminary and thus the Seminary caters at a national level
THE PROPAEDEUTIC SEMINARY, KANNUR
Abiding with the norms of the Congregation for the Clergy’s decree, The gift of the priestly vocation: Ratio fundamentalis institutionis sacerdotalis (8 December 2016) as well as intending the integral growth of the candidates to priesthood according to the signs of the times, Kerala Region Latin Catholic Bishops Council (KRLCBC) initiated the ‘Propaedeutic Year’. It is a year of deeper discernment for the seminarians entering the major seminary. This initiative of KRLCBC for the seminarians of all the Latin dioceses of Kerala equips a seminarian to deepen his priestly vocation through a process of psycho-spiritual integration. The atmosphere, formators, horarium, scope and sequence of this year could enhance the seminarian to experience Christ better and to grow in self-awareness.
As the name implies, the Propaedeutic Stage is introductory in nature, and intensive through its focus on significant dimensions of formation. Each seminarian needs to be open to the action of the Holy Spirit and to form a priestly heart. This particular stage is an indispensable phase of formation since it is meant to provide a solid basis for the spiritual life, and to nurture a great self-awareness for personal growth. Being a real time of vocational discernment, the Propaedeutic Stage is a time of solid human and Christian formation.
The Gift of the Priestly Vocation highlights the importance of Propaedeutic Stage: The experience of recent decades has revealed the need to dedicate a period of time to preparation of an introductory nature, in view of the priestly formation to follow or, alternatively, of the decision to follow a different path in life. Ordinarily this period is not to be less than one year or more than two. The propaedeutic stage is an indispensable phase of formation with its own specific character. Its principal objective is to provide a solid basis for the spiritual life and to nurture a greater self-awareness for personal growth. In order to launch and develop their spiritual life, it will be necessary to lead seminarians to prayer by way of the sacramental life; the Liturgy of the Hours; familiarity with the Word of God, which is to be considered the soul and guide of the journey; silence; mental prayer; and spiritual reading. Moreover, this time is an ideal opportunity to acquire an initial and overall familiarity with Christian doctrine by studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church and by developing the dynamic of self-giving through experiences in the parish setting and charitable works. Finally, if necessary, the propaedeutic stage can help to make up for anything that is missing in their general education. The studies of the propaedeutic stage are always to be considered entirely distinct from philosophical studies (59).
The propaedeutic stage can be adapted according to the culture and experiences of the local Church. However, it must always be a real time of vocational discernment, undertaken within community life, and a ‘start’ to the following stages of initial formation. In the formation that is offered, emphasis should be placed on communion with one’s Bishop, with the presbyterate and with the entire particular Church, especially as quite a few vocations nowadays originate within various groups and movements, and so need to develop deeper bonds with the Diocese. It is fitting that the propaedeutic stage be lived in a community distinct from the Major Seminary and, where at all possible, that it should have its own house. A propaedeutic programme should be developed, therefore, with its own formators to provide a solid human and Christian formation and a careful selection of candidates for Major Seminary (60).
To sum up, since the Propaedeutic Stage is ‘an indispensable phase of formation’, the focus areas of this propaedeutic year are: a) to provide a solid basis for the spiritual life; b) to strengthen the prayer life through sacramental life, Liturgy of the Hours, Word of God, mental prayer, spiritual reading etc.; c) to create an initial and overall familiarity with Christian doctrine by teaching Catechism of the Catholic Church and other documents of the Church; d) to develop a deeper bond with the shepherds of the Church and to be familiar with the life of the local Church, Bishops, presbyterate and the Diocese; e) to develop the taste of self-giving through charitable pastoral experiences; f) to nurture a greater self-awareness for personal growth; g) to make up for anything that is missing in the general education.
HISTORY
The Kerala Region Latin Catholic Bishops Council’s, especially of its Episcopal Commission for Seminary’s graceful efforts enabled the inception of the Propaedeutic Seminary on 15 June 2023. At this juncture, the magnanimous welcoming of Most Rev. Sebastian Thekethecheril, the Bishop of Vijayapuram, has to be remembered with grateful hearts, since he offered Carmelus minor seminary building at Thopramkudy, Idukki, to start the Propaedeutic Year. However, in the following year, the seminary had to be shifted to some other building, where more seminarians could be accommodated. As a result, the seminary has been shifted to the minor seminary building of the diocese of Kannur, St John Paul Bhavan, Pariyaram, which was blessed and inaugurated during the KRLCBC General Body meeting held in Kannur on 10 July, 2022. With warm gratitude, let us remember Most Rev. Alex Vadakumthala, the bishop of Kannur, who welcomed the Propaedeutic Year of formation with open heart and timely generosity.
MOTTO
MANETE IN ME – JOHN 15:4
The words of the motto – Manete in me (John 15:4) – is an invitation to abide in the peace and warmth of Christ. This life-giving relationship with Christ is compared to the organic life-giving relationship between vine and branches. The seminarians who abide in the love of Christ thrive in Him to become the fruitful instruments of salvation to the world. Abiding in Christ enables the seminarian to transform himself and to transform the world in Christ.
EPISCOPAL COMMISSION
HIS GRACE, MOST REV. DR. VARGHESE CHAKKALAKAL
Metropolitan Archbishop of Calicut & President of KRLCBC
MOST REV. DR. JAMES RAPHAEL ANAPARAMBIL
Bishop of Alleppey
MOST REV. DR. AMBROSE PUTHENVEETTIL
Bishop of Kottapuram
STAFF & STUDENTS
FORMATIVE-ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-2024
STAFF
Rector: Rev Fr Binny Mary Das
Animator:
Spiritual Director: Rev Fr Simon Nelkkunnashery OCD & Rev Fr Solomon Varghese OCD
