The Aim
The aim of formation is to enable one to be a SVD missionary endeavored to be faithful to the charism and vision of our founder B. Arnold. While opening the mission seminary in, 1875 he said, “for the house has no other purpose than to help the spread of the gospel among those who not yet know god at all or do not know him properly.”
A child takes nine months of protection in mother’s womb so does the formation a time that promotes maturity, leads one in prayer and community towards the journey of faith and relation with the master.
Journey to priesthood is a long one each stage is important, like the rocket to launch the satellite where one is called for commitment and single-minded dedication.
Many young minds have the question which countries to opt as an SVD?
Wait a minute you need to travel a few more years before you take a decision.
For a young boy aspiring to be a missionary need to have good health, intelligence to study interest in prayer and willing to sacrifice for the greater glory of god.
Such boys attend the camp conducted by the SVD vocation promoters, or write to them. To join the seminary at least you need to complete 10th std.
The first stage is orientation - it’s the time to live in the community to learn to pray, study English and interact with companions. There is plenty of time and opportunity to pursue once hobby and grow in the call.
i. Minor Seminary: SVD minor seminaries are situated at Changancherry in Kerala, Kirem at Karnataka, Raya at Goa, Vassai at Maharastra, Mhow in M.P., Lunghai and Bagdehi in Orissa, Trichy in Tamilnadu, Narsaraopet and Alwal in AP
ii. Juniorate: After completing 12th candidates spend a year at Catholic Ashram Palda. Palda provides a unique opportunity and for the first time in the young lives together and mingles with persons of diverse backgrounds and different states. Here special training is offered to master English, Hindi, psycho-spiritual counseling and guidance, sports and games.
iii. College: Candidates found fit to be future SVD’s are sent to college studies at Chennai and Mysore. This stage of formation naturally involves and intense interaction with the secular world and full of challenges and opportunities, to face the reality of day-to-day life.
iv. Novitiate: After graduation one joins the novitiate. Undoubtedly every Indian SVD has drunk deep of the mystical experience and prayerful vibrations of this splendid place Khurda. During the stay special opportunity is given for experiencing a deep-rooted prayer life and one studies the SVD constitution to understand the charism of the society. Its here one makes the responsible decision regarding one’s vocation through the sharing and guidance of novice master and the novitiate community. Its here one has to choose to become either a priest or a brother. At the end of the novitiate a novice commits himself to follow Christ through three evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience. This day marks a new beginning, as a novice becomes the member of SVD family. Vows are seen as a concrete expression of ones total surrenders to god and one’s readiness to place one self at the disposal of the church and the congregation.
v. Philosophy: The two years following the novitiate are spent in studying philosophy- the science of human knowledge and reasoning process. The main aim of such an academic program is to prepare the student for a systematic analysis of life and to explore three fundamental realities namely, god, the world and human person.
vi. Regency/OTP: After completing philosophy brothers are assigned to different ministries with the view to give a fore taste of their future missionary involvement, its time to test the waters before one plunges as it were. It’s time to test ones ideals of generosity and commitment in a concrete situation called regency.
OTP: Frathers are offered a possibility of doing a few years of service in an overseas mission territory to widen one’s horizens and convictions. This program is called oversees training program (OTP). OTP has indeed a symbolic significance to go beyond once culture community and country true to our bound of internationality.
vii. Theology: The stage of formation dedicated to theological study and reflection provides one with the opportunity to go deeply into the sacred scripture and traditions of the church at Pune and Sason in Orissa or an OTP in the country assigned. Bible becomes the focus of attention during this period of studies. Student for priesthood is introduced to the doctrinal and practical aspects of the sacraments, church law, liturgy, etc.
viii. Final Profession / Diaconate: Towards the end of the academic training with the guidance of the superior one makes three choices keeping in mind the need of the society to work either in home country or abroad to be approved by the provincial superior and general.
Finally the day has downed to finally commit by pronouncing the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience solemnly promising to keep them for life as a priest or brother. Subsequently students for priesthood are ordained deacons. Diaconate is the immediate steeping stone to the priestly ordination, which marks a certain sense the culmination of long years of forming oneself.
ix. Ordination / Firstmass: The long cherished dream becomes a reality on the day of ordination. After years of assiduous efforts expended in converting oneself making one’s life more and more god centered. Equiping oneselfwith the necessary intellectual tools one finally arrives at the altar to offer one’s life as a symbolic sacrifice like Melkisadek of old. The formal period of formation reaches to its culmination as he passes on to the rank of priesthood as he vows before the bishop, superior and the laity.
x. Mission Cross:
Its Christ calls, to take up the cross and follow him daily to be a true disciple. As men who are sent forth to preach the word of God and administer the sacrament in the Promised Land mission cross is given as a sign and symbol of the presence of Christ. A meaningful ceremony to send the missionary a custom began by our founder.
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Minor Seminaries |
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Brother Formation |
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Junioate |
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College |
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Novitiate |
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Philosophy |
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Theology |
