Pastoral and Missionary Formation

The Church exists to evangelize. Imparting a pastoral/missionary spirit and outlook is therefore a critical element in the formation of future priests. To this end, the entire formation programme, including the academic segment, is rich in elements that would satisfy the need for our seminarians to imbibe, from the beginning, the desirable orientation towards the pastoral ministry. The location of our seminary offers some challenges, and at the same time, certain special opportunities to develop good pastoral and missionary consciousness.

For a proper coordination of such, a member of the Formation Team has been designated to direct and co-ordinate the various activities that are related to the pastoral formation of seminarians. Among such activities include regular Sunday Masses for our host community; visitation to homes in the surrounding villages; preparation of children for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation; working with adults who would wish to return to the sacraments; and visitation to neighbouring primary schools to give talks on designated days. In fact, our seminarians are already visiting homes in the neighbouring communities in pairs, and we hold a joint Christ the King celebration with the host community.