Hearty Farewell to Brothers of Third Year Philosophy

                We live in the world of flux; this flux is inevitable for every being in this world. It is by undergoing the change one attains authenticity in one’s being. Well indeed, the Third Year Philosophy brothers after having been formed to face the multi-faceted world with confidence and trust in the Lord were given hearty farewell. Under the guidance of General Prefect Bro. Subhash David Maghade, the Farewell programme was held on 24th evening. The event was memorable and a long cherished one as it comprised of dance drama, dance and farewell song. The entertainment program, which was a treat to the eyes, was staged by the First Year and Second Year Philosophy brothers on this occasion to honor them. In fact, a beautiful message was conveyed to them through the dance drama.

                 Fr. Praveen D’Souza, O.P the Dean of Philosophy Department shared his experiences by highlighting their unique potentialities. He wished them by saying ‘Do well in your ministry wherever you are placed or whatever ministry you hold.’ He also wished them all the best and good luck for the forthcoming University Examinations.

                 Indeed, it was the day of both joy and sorrow for the Carolian family. The joy was because of their successful stay and completion of Philosophical studies; but the sorrow was their absence in the family which would be soon felt in the community. However, Bro. John Peter of the Third Year Philosophy on behalf of the class expressed gratitude and thankfulness towards the community for the love and concern which they have experienced during their stay in St. Charles Seminary.

Third Year Philosophy with Fr. Biju Sebastian,O.P.

Fr.Praveen's Farewell message to Brothers

Fr. Chandrakant Kumar

He has completed ten years of priestly life in the diocese of Varanasi. He was in St. Charles for Philosophy as well as Theology. He says that he was trained so well here and that led him to do well everywhere. He has a deep faith in Personal prayer, therefore in his sharing he said to Brothers that all the Bell spirituality is good but your own spiritual prayer is better. For him, reflection and meditation are essential aspect of spiritual life. He gave a good piece of advice to the brothers by saying “you should be convinced of the things you do in life.” Reading habit and prayer habit will make you someone better in the process of this way of life.

Fr. Biju Sebastian O. P.

Fr. Biju Sebastian O. P.

Fr.Biju's  first statement was that here we get nothing but chatny. It means when we go out from Seminary we have nothing but we have to make it something. Well, Fr. Biju is a man of principle. He also had one year regency in one of the Parish of Patna Diocese of Bihar. In fact, he had a wonderful and unique experience of regency. Soon after ordination, he was appointed as an assistant parish priest in one of the parish, where he spent first year of priestly life smoothly. In the second year of his priestly life, he got into the hot argument with Parish Priest. Both did not agree in a certain point so, they kept on arguing up 12 O’clock in the night. After sometime, they departed into theirs room with tensions, but Fr. Biju did not get sleep by thinking of the argument and so came out from the room to talk to Parish Priest who was also unable to sleep. He knocked the door of the Parish Priest and asked pardon from him and both hugged and cried each other and came to the dining room and talked up to 2.30am. After his successful stay over there, he was sent to Manglore to look after Postulants. In fact, he was a bit strict in dealing with students but students were happy with him. Then he was called to St. Charles to take the post as a procurator. Since then, he has been working and teaching with great joy and enthusiasm in St. Charles. So, in his sharing as a message to the students he told “To lead a cheerful life we need to be responsible.”

Fr.John P.

Fr. John P. is the priest for the diocese of Gwalior who hails from the state of Kerala. He started his sharing with few quotations. “Man proposes and God disposes”. “Be aware of yourself that is where you are, why you are”. He went on saying that in the modern age, it is easy to become priest, but difficult to live priestly life. God tested me severely before joining this way of life. I had the desire to become priest in any religious congregation since childhood. But I was neglected because I passed SCC with 2nd division. So I joined brotherhood in the society of St.Paul’s Missionary. After sometime, I left and held job in Press. But, God had another plan for me and that was to become priest, so I applied for Jhansi Diocese. I was selected and sent to St. Charles for my studies. Here, I was an electrician as well as Master of ceremony in 4th year of Theology. Once Spiritual Director Fr.N.Moloy said to me, “Can you have this joy after fifteen years of priesthood?” I said, “Yes.” Later on Bifurcation took place and I opted for Gwalior Diocese. According to him Seminary is the place where one disciplines for the rest of life; therefore, he says that we come from unorganized place to be organized and to go to unorganized place again. His motto of life is “Comfort the afflicted and strength is the risen Lord”.

Fr.John Vianney

I am here to share my 25th years of Priestly life which will contribute something to your life too. For me Latin Language became very helpful for my studied as well as to learn other languages. I am the real product of St. Charles Seminary because I did both Philosophy and Theology here. Happy and Lucky years were those time when I spent in St. Charles. I took all my responsibilities well and went ahead to become priest. After ordination also, I took all my transfers very well and my companions to help me a lot. In life, I also fell but I was helped a lot by Arch Bishop Abraham. At times, I too thought that I am sinner and others are Saints. But, I have learnt to say now, “Do not do what you do not want them to do to you.”

Fr.Tony

I am Fr. Tony a priest for the Arch- Diocese of Nagpur. My desire of becoming priest came to me when I was at 8th class. I saw a separate group (brothers) who were good and enjoying life. So I decided to join the Seminary but later on I wanted to take gap for one or two years to do job. But one Old French Priest who was my Spiritual Guide asked me, what am I going to do? He told me that I would not be taken back afterwards. Actually, I was only two years in St. Charles for my studies, because I was asked by the Rector to go to Pune for the rest of my studies. But these two years of Studies in St. Charles became the foundation of my life. I missed a lot by going to Pune from here because I did not know well of this place, although I am born and brought up in Nagpur. When I completed my studies and was appointed in Chindwada Mission, an incident took place in my life and that incident helped me to balance my life well. For the first time I had meal all alone there and did not feel to eat so I gave it to dog. In fact, the meal was sent from the convent by the superior of the convent and later on asked me how the meal was all about. I told her what I did with the meal. But, she could make me understand that I have to be alone throughout my life so learn to adjust myself. Once a Non-catholic confronted me by asking, “If you are given life again, what you would be” I replied, I would be Priest.

PASTORAL MINISTRY of THIRD YEAR THEOLOGY IN MATRIDHAM ASHRAM, VARANASI: 2011

St Charle’s seminary sends the students of 3rd Year theology for the pastoral ministry frequently at Matridham Ashram. This year also, we, the students of the third year theology were sent to Matritham Ashram, Varanasi. We reached Matridham Ashram on 10th of December and it was the 2nd Saturday and there was a conversion. People come from far places with great faith that Jesus will answer their prayers. Well, people are fed with word of God. For a week, we had input sessions by Fr. John, Sr.Kamal and Fr. Anil Dev. Indeed, we were prepared mentally to go to the villages. In that weekend, there was 3 days retreat for the people and the responsibilities to conduct the retreat were given to us. Each one preached on different topics. On the last day, some of our brothers got the chance to conduct the praise and worship service and two of us preached on that day too. Few people shared their life experience of how they came to Jesus and accepted Christ as the sole redeemer. By experiencing all these, it really encircled our faith also.


We were sent two by two from the Ashram to different villages for four days. The simple people of the villages welcomed us with great respect. They considered us as the people of God. They felt that our presence amidst them brought God’s blessings on them. We conducted prayer services with villagers. Definitely, few brothers had very good experience of exorcism too. Each one had a wonderful experience at different villages. The most wonderful experience we had there is the faith of the people in Jesus Christ. The Word of God is tremendous. They relate their every activity to the person of Christ Jesus, because they have encountered Christ Jesus in some way or the other in their lives.

We came back to Ashram on 22nd Dec. and started decorating the campus. We had prayer services on 23rd Dec. for better weather, since for few days the climate was too cold. And for our surprise, on 24th the sun was so bright from the morning itself. We felt that it was really God’s blessing. The Christmas programe began at 4pm in the evening starting with preaching of two hours followed by a drama then mass. After mass, there was folk songs and movie show like “Daya Sagar”. It went on up to 5.30 a.m in the morning. Some of us got an opportunity to go to a Parish called Mughal Sarai for praying over the people. They had very good experience. It was told that the crowed was more than a lakh. While some brothers were assigned some responsibilities in the Ashram and some went to villages to conduct the games for the children. It was really a unique experience for each one of us there.

Indeed, we are very much thankful to Fr. Anil Dev IMS who is the superior of Matridham Ashram. He welcomed us to his Ashram with great hospitality. We also acknowledge the support and help rendered to us by the staff there especially by Fathers and sisters.

Exposure Programme of Second Year Theology in Muzaffarpur Diocese (Bihar), 2011.(10th Dec. to 31st Dec.2011):

The Social Work Department of St. Charles Seminary had organized an exposure programme for the brothers of Second year Theology at different parishes of Muzaffarpur Diocese in Bihar. There were 29 brothers, who were divided into four groups according to the need of places like Saharsa Parish, Tinconma Parish, Asha-Deep Muzaffarpur and Sakri Mission .The program was schedule from 10th of Dec 2011 to 31st of Dec. 2011. In fact, the brothers had an enriching experience with different castes and culture of people of Bihar especially with the poor and needy. The following are the places where the brothers did their social service for the people:


Sakri Mission:

Well, four brothers were sent to Sakri Mission which comes under Madhubani district of Bihar in India. The people of place were mostly of Dalit Community. The Economic and Social condition of the people is very low, because they belong to the low caste of the society that is Maha-Dalit or Mushahar community. Among these people of God, brothers had been assigned to experience God’s love. Brothers were organizing some social activities to create awareness among the people for their rights and duties including privileges given by the government at the Gram Panchayats, Blocks and at the district levels by involving them.

Activities Done:

1. Teaching (Basic English and Moral Values) in the Non-Formal Centers in various villages.

2. Displaying Street Plays to bring awareness of the evil practice of the society such as Dowry system, alcoholism, and child labour and child marriage.

3. Giving talk to the children on Health and hygiene.

4. Motivating and counseling the families to create sense of human dignity and self identity.

5. Interacting with parents of the students and village Mukyas(leaders) to render needful help to the students of poor background.

6. Encouraging the families for the good healthy practice, cleanliness in eating habits, dressing etc. To bring awareness of health and hygiene and clean living condition.

7. Preparing for Christmas crib and decoration along with family visit and giving the people Christmas message.

Asha-Deep Muzaffarpur:

Here, another four brothers were assigned which comes under Muzaffarpur District of Bihar in India. This is the training center for the Below Poverty Line of Students run by Jesuit Community. Here, the job oriented courses are run for the boys and girls of all religion without discriminating any caste and creed. The number of students was more than hundred who are benefited and also get placement for their job. Brothers did lot of works among these young boys and girls to motivate them for better life to lead. Besides, these entire programme brothers were also visiting Non-Formal centers and families.

Activities Done:

1. Teaching Spoken English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science Subjects, Computer, Songs, to the Below Poverty Line Boys and Girls.

2. Counseling them to be more effective and service minded people of society.

3. Motivating them to be positive in life to fight out the daily struggle of life.

4. Organizing and conducting games for them to be more creative and to inculcate the spirit of Team work.

5. Visiting Non-Formal centre and examining the students.

6. Helping for Christmas Programme such as Crib making, decoration and giving Christmas message.

Saharsa Parish:

Seven brothers were sent to Saharsa Parish and also Nayanagar village which is the Mission sub-station of Saharsa Parish. This place comes under Saharsa District of Bihar in India where the flood often disturbs the people. Parish and mission station both are looked after by IMS Priests of Banaras Province. There are around Forty Christians Families. The people are mostly of Tribal and Dalit Community. Here, people are really poor because some of them have no land of their own and have no employment to fulfill basic needs of life. Most of them depend on daily wages. In fact, brothers were with the people to experience the hardship of village life by cooking food themselves in severe cold of the season.

Activities Done:

1. Teaching (Basic English and Moral Values) in the Non-Formal Centers in various villages.

2. Giving talk to the children on Health and hygiene.

3. Displaying Street Plays to bring awareness of the evil practice of the society such as Dowry system, alcoholism, and child labour and child marriage.

4. Motivating and counseling the families to create sense of human dignity and self identity.

5. Interacting with parents of the students and village leaders to render needful help to the students of poor background.

6. Encouraging the families for the good healthy practice, cleanliness in eating habits, dressing etc. To bring awareness of health and hygiene and clean living condition.

7. Visiting families and praying for the families.

8. Preparing Christmas crib and decoration along with family visit and giving the people Christmas message.



Tinconma Parish:

14 brothers were assigned to Tinconma Parish which comes under Madhepura District of Bihar in India. This is also one of the flood affected district where people are often disturbed by the flood. This Parish also looks after two mission sub-stations that are 15 kilometers away. The people are mostly of Santhal Tribe and Dalit Community. There are around three hundred families in the village but Christian Families are only sixty. People have no electricity, no good roads, no hospital and no proper Schools. Here, People depend on cultivation. Most of the young people migrate to other states for the works. Majority of them depend on daily wages. In this situation, brothers were doing their social activities to give them the hope for their better social life in near future.

Activities Done:

1. Visiting and examining the Non-Formal Children in nine villages.

2. Displaying Street Plays to bring awareness of the people to avoid drinking habits, child marriage, Dowry system, witch craft, child labour and promoting education for both girls and boys.

3. Motivating and counseling unemployed youth to have proper job oriented course or training.

4. Interacting with parents of the students and village leaders to render needful help to promote women education.

5. Encouraging the families to inculcate good manners in children, cleanliness in eating habits, and dressing.

6. Giving talk to the children on Health and hygiene.

7. Conducting games for the youth and children to teach them the values such team work and co-operation.

8. Visiting families and praying for the families.

9. Giving refection in the mass and preparing people to have meaningful confession before Christmas.

10. Preparing Cribs, decoration and Carol Singing giving the people Christmas message.

In fact, this was our unique and wonderful experience and we all have learnt lot of things for our life and will surely keep alive throughout our life as a religious people. We express our heartfelt gratitude and a special thanks to all the priests, sisters and faithful of different parishes of Muzaffarpur Diocese who helped us to have a happy stay and enriching experience wherever we went.

Mission Experience of First Year Theology in Jashpur &Raigarh Dioceses: 2011

The first disciples of John the Baptist meeting Jesus, asked Him, “Sir where do you live?” Jesus’ answer was “Come and See.” Thus began the mission journey of the disciples following Jesus. The disciples came, saw. They stayed with Jesus, imitating Him, listening to His words and learning the first lessons of the Kingdom of God Which Jesus proclaimed. The proclamation of the Kingdom of God was the mission of Jesus on earth, sowing the seeds of love, joy, peace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness, flowing from the bounty of God, the Father of all.


The same experience of the first disciples, we get here when we are in the seminary. After having initial experience with Jesus, Jesus sent his disciples to various mission places to proclaim the Kingdom of God. We the first year brothers were left with same words of Christ “Go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” We were fortunate to undergo different ministry experiences in different places. It was a wonderful pastoral experience for all of us. We were 13 of us and were divided into two groups with eight and five members each. Eight of us went to different parishes of Jashpur Diocese and another five us were placed in various parishes of Raigarh Diocese for our Christmas Ministry. Of course, we were all very happy to go to the different parishes where we started our mission with full joy.

We, the brothers who were in different places of Raigarh Diocese, had the great experience of facing the simple village life style among the ordinary people who live in the lap of nature with hardly supplied modern facilities of current , water and other necessities of life. The brothers were given different ministry by the Parish Priest of the places. Besides preaching on the Gospel values, we had the opportunity of preparing the new converts both children and aged ones for the first communion, confession and marriage. We were entrusted to instruct in catechism on various subject such as on the importance of Eucharist, Confession, and Baptism. We were also expected to prepare the people for Christmas and Cribs. We took up singing at Christmas and in simple style of villagers celebrated the “ Jalsa Parab” in great manner.

We , the brothers who were in Jashpur Diocese of different parishes, had the opportunity of doing the same ministries what the other group has done, but in addition to this, we had an special opportunity of visiting different villages before Christmas with the Parish Priest , giving the Christmas message and celebrating the Holy Eucharist.

Of course, this was our first experience and we all enjoyed it very much and will surely keep alive throughout our life as a religious people. We express our heartfelt gratitude and a special thanks to all the priests, sisters and faithful of Jashpur and Raigarh Dioceses who helped us to have a happy stay and enriching experience wherever we went.