Report and pics: Fr Joseph D‘ Souza OP, Switzerland
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)
Nagpur, Nov 9: The golden jubilee of the New St Charles Seminary was celebrated on the November 4 and 5. It also happened to be the golden jubilee of the Dominican presence at St Charles Seminary.
In 1959, four Irish Dominican priests – Frs Gerard Mannes Cussen, Hugh Marquess, Ephraem McCarthy and Thomas Ryan, had come to Nagpur to take charge of the Seminary, at the invitation of the late Archbishop, Eugene D’Souza of the Archdiocese of Nagpur. In the last fifty years, several Dominicans from the Irish and Indian Province have laboured to fulfill the dream of Archbishop Eugene.
St Charles Seminary has trained more than a thousand priests, most of them have been serving in North and Central India. The Seminary is also proud to having produced 10 Bishops, including the present Archbishop of Nagpur, Fr Abraham Viruthakulangara, who is also the Patron of the Seminary. Fr Dominic Mendonca is the present rector of the Seminary. The resident staff comprises Dominicans alone.
Presently, there are nearly 223 Seminarians coming from about 47 Dioceses and five religious congregations. Besides giving a proper philosophical and theological formation to the Seminarians, the Seminary lays a strong accent on the pastoral formation and inter-religious dialogue. The seminarians, who have also been studying in SFS College, have made a great impact in the city. They have contributed immensely in the academic field as well as in sports and games.
The Seminary is situated on a beautiful little hill, known as ‘Seminary Hill,’ which is located at a distance of about four kms from Nagpur railway station. The Seminary campus is green and pretty with flowers, grass, plants and trees. The entire surrounding is eco-friendly. At the foot of the hill stands the famous Grotto, known as ‘Lourd Matha Mandhir’, one of the most popular Marian Shrines of Central India. The beautiful natural setting adds to the sanctity of the place. It is a place of prayer and solitude not only for the Christians, but also for thousands of people of other faiths. They go back with peace and healing; they have a place for Mary and Jesus in their hearts.
The Solemn Eucharist was presided by the Archbishop of Nagpur with about 250 concelebrants, out of which were 19 Bishops. The Archbishop, in his homily, highlighted the wonderful work the Dominicans have been doing in the formation of priests for the church of India.
There was a re-union of the former students. More than a hundred former students of St Charles travelled from different parts of the country to take part in this celebration. It was a wonderful occasion to reflect on the life and mission of the priests today. A symposium on the ‘Year of Priest’ was held in the morning. On the fifth, at 6.30 am there was a thanksgiving mass at the Grotto, and the jubilee celebrations concluded with the felicitations and a cultural programme. A dance drama based on the story of Jesus, presented on the occasion, was appreciated by everyone.