“Cultivate sincerity and Integrity” Archbishop tells Minor seminarians

Bengaluru, Dec 14: Bhakti Bhavan, Bangalore Archdiocesan Minor seminary, nestled in the Ascension church campus wore a festive look December 13, with the institution celebrating its Annual Day. Archbishop Dr. Bernard Moras reiterating two points of the Holy Father’s seven guidelines on formation exhorted the seminarians to “Cultivate sincerity and integrity of character all through your formation”.  The Prelate urged Formators to be “role models”.  Appreciating a skit and musical ballet staged by the seminarians on the theme of ‘Mercy of God’ with Mother Teresa in focus, the Archbishop said “We must never grow deaf to the words ‘I thirst’ and so hearken to the poor and down-trodden always.  Be ready to also accept insults in the name of God”.

Archbishop Moras recalled how impressed he was when he visited St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome with Fr. Chris Vimal Raj. “I was deeply impressed to see so many confessors sitting to hear confession and how people approached the sacrament so reverently”. “As priests” he said “we must become channels of the mercy and love of God”.

The seminary has 37 resident minor seminarians at 23 non-resident undergraduates. Acknowledging the goodwill of   Fr. Francis Xavier OFM from NBCLC and Fr. Arun Santosh (Assistant  Rector), Seminary Rector Fr. Christopher Vimal Raj said “I am grateful for their commitment to teach vernaculars in the minor seminary. This is in tandem with the Archdiocesan language policy. We equip our seminarians with language skills in Kannada and Tamil so that they may be open and willing to proclaim the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the pastoral needs of the Archdiocese”.

“We marked an important milestone in the life of the Church in Bangalore as our Beloved Archbishop celebrated the diamond jubilee of this birth in August and 49 years, a scriptural jubilee (7 times 7) of his Sacerdotal Ordination” the Rector said.

Acknowledging the contribution of teachers and associates in the flow of various programs in the seminary, the Rector recalled with gratitude the services of English teacher Miss. Renie Correa who served the seminary 23 years. 15 priests con-celebrated at mass, including former Rectors Fr. Stany Viegas, Fr. John Sudeep and Assistant Rector Fr. Jerome Stanislaus. Resident Spiritual Director Fr. Lawrence Noronha was specially thanked for making arrangements for board and lodge during a pilgrimage to St. Lawrence Shrine in Attur.