India: Training of 82 major seminarians of the Little Flower Congregation, Kerala

The major seminarians of the Little Flower Congregation St. Thomas Province (CST). @ACN
The major seminarians of the Little Flower Congregation St. Thomas Province (CST). @ACN

India is a multi-ethnic nation. Over 8% of the population consists of indigenous tribal peoples, with well over 600 different tribes. For the most part they are outside the Hindu caste system and are thus severely disadvantaged. In addition to the existing separatist movements among many of these peoples, there are also tensions between the different religious groups. Four of the major religious groups, namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism were born in this great Asian nation. The overwhelming majority (over 80%) Hindus, followed by Muslims (around 13% and thus, after Indonesia and Pakistan, the third largest Muslim population in the world), and Christians, at just 2.4%.

Hostilities between the various different cultures and religions are a cause of concern. Hindu extremists accuse the Catholics of ignoring the caste system, while the Dalits are treated throughout their lives as second-class citizens. However, the Catholic Church makes no distinction between castes and is thus often seen as a danger to the existing Indian social structure. This has led quite recently to violent outbreaks, such as the one in Orissa in August 2008, where Hindu extremists carried out savage and unprovoked attacks on Christian villages, leaving thousands of refugees. The peace work of the Catholic Church in India is essential, especially in the North. Many priests play a leading role in the reconciliation work of the Church, as leaders and examples of Christian life. Hence it is vital for them to receive a solid training in preparation for their future mission as priests. But such training is expensive and often money is lacking.

In the state of Kerala in the South, there are 82 seminarians in need of our help. These young men are studying at the major seminary of the Little Flower Congregation in Kerala. This is a native Indian congregation of priests, founded in 1931 by Father Basilius Panat. The congregation seeks to follow the "Little Way" of St Teresa of Lisieux.

The priests of this congregation do not run schools or look after parishes. Instead, their charism is to try and improve the lives of the rural population. And so they live in the midst of villagers. Whereas tensions often appear in the towns between Hindus and Christians, in the country there is occasional hostility between Hindus and Muslims. Christians sometimes find themselves acting as peace brokers, and the priests strive to promote interreligious dialogue. Promoting reconciliation between the different religions and ethnic groups is a real concern for them. This is well understood by the seminarians in the Little Flower Seminary, "I want to be an instrument of peace and a prophet in this world. I want to work among the people and prepare their hearts for the grace of God", one of them writes. His fellow seminarian is just as serious about his future role as a priest: "Being a true witness to Christ for others is the highest responsibility of the priest. Priesthood is only fulfilled by participation in the Paschal Mystery. The eternal presence of Christ in the sacred Host is what shapes the life of the priest... the most wonderful and challenging task of a Catholic priest is to be a model of Christ, and eternal priest", he adds.

The road to ordination is a long one. The training lasts 12 years in total and can be even longer. After taking their temporary vows, the candidates officially become members of the congregation. After three years studying philosophy, each student then spends a year gaining practical experience in the parishes. Following four years of theology the seminarians are then ready for ordination, after which the newly-ordained priests go out to work in various different dioceses in northern India. The order also has mission stations in Africa, in Tanzania, in Papua New Guinea and in Brazil.

Last year the international Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need  (ACN) supported the training of the 82 seminarians in the major seminary of the congregation, giving 8,200 Euros. This covers only a part of the costs, however, since it costs the seminary around 1,000 Euros per year to train each seminarian.

„We pray for you and for your intentions, and our seminarians will likewise pray regularly for all your intentions", writes the Superior, adding „We don't know how to thank you for all your generosity. But as St Peter said to the crippled man outside the Temple, ‚Gold and silver have I none, but what I have, I give to you'. We too can give you nothing in return for your gifts. But our Fathers and seminarians of St Thomas Province of the Little Flower Congregation can promise you their prayers for you and their help for the poor and needy."

To know about this and many other similar projects in favour of the pastoral needs of the suffering Church, please contact our national offices.