SEMINARIES AND FORMATION HOUSES

The eparchy of Satna is well known for its various theological formation centers extending from a major seminary to various formation houses. They stand as the living monuments of the fulfillment of a long cherished wish of Rt. Rev. Mar Abraham D. Mattam, to impart training, according to the venerable traditions of the Syro Malabar Church, keeping her identity as an Eastern Church, especially dedicated to work in the North Indian mission areas. These institutions, not only give training to the seminarians and candidates for religious life but also create an atmosphere of theological thinking and experiencing liturgy, according to the heritage of the Individual Church.

Major seminary

ST. EPHREM'S THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, SATNA

St. Ephrem's Theological College is a Theologate in the diocese of Satna, for training future priests of the Syro Malabar Church for working in the mission and else-where. This seminary stands as the monument of the ecclesial vision and hard labour of Mar Abraham D. Mattam, who always wanted the Syro Malabar Church to live according to her tradition and heritage.

The Specific Nature of the Seminary
His Eminence Cardinal Achille Sylvestrini, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, in his letter approving the programme to start a theologate, writes: "This Congregation appreciates the importance of providing for the appropriate training of Syro-Malabar missionary priests in conformity with the conciliar directives through a seminary policy and programme that does justice to the Eastern Christian heritage, to its intrinsic significance and relevance in Gospel proclamation and pastoral service in the contemporary socio-cultural context."

The specific characteristics of this theological seminary as envisaged by its founder. Mar Abraham Mattam in his inaugural address are:

1. Fidelity to the truths of the Deposits of Faith: The truth revealed in Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the Apostles, have been preserved and faithfully handed over by the living Magisterium of the Church. These arc the basis of Christian life and hope. There can be no deviation from the revealed truth. Truths arc sometimes falsely understood or explained in such a way that their essential meaning is distorted. Under these circumstances, this theological seminary could do immense service to the Church presenting the faith in its integrity, without equivocations.
2. Respect for the adherence to the Magisterium of the Church: Truths of faith are received through the teaching authority, the living Magisterium of the Church, built by Christ. There is only one Magisterium, that of Peter and the Apostles, the Popes and the Bishops. There is not a parallel Magisterium of the theologians.
3. Life of Holiness and Spirit of Prayer: Priesthood is a lofty vocation to pursue a life of perfection. It is a "specific" vocation to holiness. The programme of priestly formation, therefore, should, above all, Jay emphasis on holiness of life and a life of prayer, in other words, on spiritual formation. The daily programme of the Seminary provides the opportunity to the priests and seminarians to foster their spiritual life.
4. An Oriental Seminary: Another distinguishing feature of St. Ephrem's is that it is a theologate of an Oriental Church in North India, which has a special role and duty to fulfil. It is bound to promote the study of Oriental Churches, the history, traditions and theology, especially of St. Thomas (Church of India, presently called, though wrongly, Syro-Malabar Church.
5. The Priests as Evangelizers in the North Indian Context: The specific objective of the Seminary is to give the right formation, mostly for the priests of the Syro-Malabar Church who arc to work in North India. So the programme of the Theologate should equip the candidates with this task. Studies of the religious beliefs of the people in the north and of their socio-cultural traditions are given due importance in the curriculum.
6. Simple lifestyle adapted to local conditions: The priest is called upon to present to (he world by his very life the image of Christ who became poor for our sake, whereas he had been rich, so that we might be enriched by his poverty. The priest should consider that these people arc in a special way entrusted to him. His life should show closeness to them.

A Short History

St Ephrem's Theological College was inaugurated at Satna on 3 July, 1992, on the Feast day of St. Thomas, the Apostle. This seminary has been opened as a diocesan institution, with the active support and co-operation of several Bishops and Religious Congregations.

The seminary started functioning at Edessa, the diocesan Pastoral Centre. The seminary was later, on 30 Dec. 1994, was shifted to the present location, Ephrem Nagar, on Satna-Chithrakoot road. The first Rector was Very Rev. Fr. Antony Plackal. V.C. and there were 19 students on the roll. When he was elected as the Superior General of his Religious Congregation, Fr. Jacob Vadakcl was made the acting rector. Then Fr. Joseph Mundakathil, from Changanacherry, took charge as the head of the institution. He was followed by Fr. Joseph Maleparambil, from Pala. After a span of five years as Rector, he returned to his home diocese, on 25 Jan, 2000. The present Rector is Fr. Thomas Anikuzhikattil, from Kothamangalam diocese. There are 9 members on the resident staff and 48 students, (including day-scholars) during this academic year. There arc 29 members on the visiting staff. Till today, in five batches, 56 students were ordained priests. Ephrem's Theological Journal is a journal of international reputation, published by the Ephrem's Theological Association, at St. Ephrem's Theological College. The seminary has also a Biblical and Historical Museum to its credit, In February, 2000 (16-18), a National Symposium, on Church and Mission in the Third Millennium, was conducted under the auspices of the seminary, which was, indeed, came out a grand success.

Minor seminary

CHRISTU VIDHYA MKETAN, MAIDANI, REWA

The first group of missionaries of the Vincentian Congregation came to North India in the year 1965 at the invitation of the Apostolic Prefect of the Prefecture of Raipur.  Rev. Fr. Joseph Peechanatt V.C. was one of the first to come to Raipur. When the Congregation got the Exarchate off Satna in 1968, many more priests came forward working in the mission. As they started to work they felt their incompetence to work in the missions. Most of them were formed in the seminaries where a pastoral oriented training was imparted. They found it difficult to work in missions. Hence, everybody concerned, felt the need of training the candidates for the missions in the mission itself. As a result of the reflections and requests of the missionaries working in the Diocese of Satna, The Superior General and his council decided to start a minor seminary in Rewa. So the first batch of six seminarians with their Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas Embrayil came on 26.6.1980 and on 03.07.1980 the New Vincentian Regional Minor Seminary was officially inaugurated. They were accommodated in Regional house at Padra. Later a plot of land was purchased in the village, Maidani. Very Rev. Fr. George Kammattil, the then Superior General blessed and laid the foundation stone of the building for the new Vinccntian Minor Seminary. The seminary was shifted to Kailaspur temporarily on 29.06.1981. The newly constructed seminary building was blessed by Most Rev. Mar Abraham Mattam, Bishop of Satna, on 15 August, 1982 and the minor seminary was formally started in the new building, on 23 September, 1982. A new chapel for the seminary was built later and was blessed by Most Rev. Mar Abraham Mattam, Bishop of Satna on 08.11.1986. In its 20 years of existence 430 candidates passed out, of which 27 candidates became priests, eight are doing their theology 16 are doing the philosophy course and seven are doing their novitiate. During the three years of seminary life the students arc taught languages, Introduction to Bible, Vincentian Spirituality, Catechism, liturgy, etc. Besides, they are trained to take plus two examination and Hindi Examinations, before they are promoted to the Novitiate. The students from the diocese of Satna were also studying in Christiu Vidya Niketan until the new Minor Seminary, at Serganj, was opened. Under the SSSMILE, (Sacred Scriptures Social Message Into Living Experience) Fellowship, Seminarians visit the nearby villages and assist them in their needs. The seminarians visit the Rewa town also and help the persons who are really needy. This seminary is catering to the needs of St. Thomas Vice Province, which is working in the Hindi-speaking area of North India.

VINCENTIAN STUDY HOUSE

The administration of Vincentian Vice-Province thought of starting a Study House, at Ephrem Nagar - (Kothi) - when St. Ephrem's Theological College was shifted to that place. With this end in view, Fr. Mathcw Vaniakizhakkel, V.C, the then Provincial Superior of the St. Thomas Vice-Province purchased a plot of land, measuring 4.60 Acres, opposite to the Seminary, about 15 Kms. away from Satna city, on the Satna-Chitrakoot road.

Arrangements were soon made for the construction of the Study House and the work started with the laying the foundation stone by Mar Abraham D. Mattam, the Bishop, on 28 October, 1995. The construction work was done by Mr. Dadulal (Contractor), under the supervision of Mr. B. Battacharya, Fr. Mathcw Vaniakizhakkel V.C, Bro. Joseph Naduvileparampil, V.C, Fr. Benny Elcmplakatt V.C. and Bro. Abraham Vettickal, V.C (Regent). The final works were supervised by the new Provincial Superior Fr. Varghese Naikomparampil V.C, Frs. Jacob Chcnnathu V.C and Paul Edasseril V.C The Study House was blessed by Fr. Antony Plackal V.C, the Superior General and the Chapel was consecrated by Mar Abraham D. Mattam V.C, on 10 November, 1997.

The Vincentians shifted their residence from St. Ephrem's Theological College to the new Study House two days before the inaguaration. Fr. Paul Edasscril V.C. was appointed the first rector of the Study House. The Study House is a beautiful and compact building, which can accommodate 32 students and a few fathers. It has a spacious auditorium, library and a beautiful chapel. The paintings on the sanctuary wall and the statue of St. Vincent Dc Paul, in front of the Chapel was done by Bro. Sebastian Cheruvathoor V.C, attracts many visitors. The present strength of the Study House is eight.

BETHANIA : INSTITUTE OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Bethania, Institute of Religious Studies, was inaugurated, at Ephrem Nagar, Satna, on 15 July, 1998 by Mar Abraham D. Mattam, the Bishop of Satna. It was the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream of the Bishop to have a training center for religious, in the missionary context, of North India. His missionary experience of more than three decades led him to the firm conviction that the missionary personnel, particularly the women-religious, should be given theological impetus, spiritual and moral training, up to date missionary orientation, befitting to the multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious context. Besides, they should be rooted in the venerable ecclcsial heritage and spiritual patrimony of the Syro-Malabar Church, engaged in the noble task of spreading the Good News, in north India. Bethania is designed to fulfil this noble task.

Bethania is one of the important pastoral enterprises of the diocese of Satna. However, it is open to the missionary personnel of all the Syro-Malabar dioceses and religious congregations who are working in north India. The academic program is intended to equip the religious with the tools essential for working in the mission. The academic program is organized by ETC. Since these courses are taken into account of the pastoral necessity of the Syro-Malabar church in a national level. The professors of St. Ephrem's Theological College offer most of the courses. A program and. training of higher studies in Dogmatic Theology, Canon Law, Missiology, etc are proposed in this institute. Certificates of participation and Diploma will be awarded to those who successfully complete the course and meet the requirements of the same. There were eleven students in the first batch and sixteen in the present batch. There are six-months courses and also a one-year course.

The Bishop of Satna is the chairman of the Administrative Council of Bethania. At present the director of the Institute is V Rev. Fr. Joseph Edatt V.C. The rector of the St.Ephrem's Theological College is the Joint- Director.

ST. THOMAS MINOR SEMINARY, SHERGANJ , SATNA

St. Thomas minor seminary was formally inaugurated on 3 July, 1996, by the bishop of Satna, Mar Abraham D. Mattam, V.C. The starting of the diocesan seminary was the realization of along cherished dream of our bishop. Its primary purpose is to impart priestly training to the students who aspire to become diocesan priests in the mission itself. Prior to the establishment of the seminary at Satna, the students of the Eparchy were sent to different seminaries of other dioceses and congregations for their minor seminary course.

The seminary with 11 students on the first batch was initially accommodated at the Pastoral Center, Edessa, at Pateri. Rev. Fr. Mathew Chandrankunnel was the first Rector and Rev. Fr. Thomas Chirattavayalil was the Vice-Rector and Procurator. Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C. succeeded the former as the Rector in the second year ot its inception and Fr. Martin Moonjely succeeded the latter. Rev. Fr. Joseph Kodakallil is the Vicc-Rector and Procurator since 1998.

In 1998, the seminary became full-fledged with three batches of students. The seminarians are given integral formation at all realms. As a rule; two batches together appear in the Higher Secondary Board Examination in alternate years and all the three batches appear in the Kovit and Pravesh examinations conducted by Hindi Prachar Sabha, Wardha. The first batch of eight students after completing the minor seminary, were sent to different major seminaries to pursue the philosophical studies. There arc 28 students in this academic year 1999-2000 and eight of them will be sent to the major seminary in the next year. The new building for the seminary at Sherganj was partially completed and the seminary was shifted to the new premises, oh 25 March, 1999. The new building is situated beside the Satna-Panna State Highway and it is about 6 Kms, away from the town.

S.H. NOVITIATE HOUSE, PATERI

The General Synaxis of the S.H. Congregation held, in November, 1988 decided to build a house in Satna Diocese for the common canonical novitiate, meant for the three mission provinces of Assam. Delhi and Ujjain of S.H,' Congregation. The Superior General, Mother Pelagia S.H and her Councillors have taken the efforts to this effect. On 25 March, 1993, the foundation stone was laid for the novitiate house. Sr. Ligouri S.H was in charge of the construction. The newly constructed house was blessed, on 6 May, 1994 by Mar Abraham D. Mattam. The first members included Sr. Climacus (Novice Mistress), Sr. Gracious and 9 novices. 91 novices had undergone training here and made their profession. Now, we arc having the sixth batch with 17 novices undergoing formation with the help of Sr. Annie Tom S.H (Novice Mistress) and Sr. Philsy S.H (Superior).

S. H. STUDY HOUSE, PATERI

The S. H Study house, at Pateri is a house of formation for the aspirants and postulants of S.H., Delhi Province. The foundation stone for the building was laid, on 21 February, 1989. Sr. Gemma was in charge of the construction. The house was blessed and inaugurated by Mar Abraham D. Mattam, on 14 April, 1991. Srs. Gemma, Else Jane and Lucy Vallomkunnel were the first members. The first batch of aspirants came on 19 September, 1991, with their mistress, Sr. Cicily S.H. Five batches o\'students had been promoted for further formation from here. The aspirants arc undergoing plus two course. At present there are 3 postulants and 3 aspirants. Sr. Mary Mathalikunnel S.H. serves as superior and Sr. Mary Mudavankunnel S.H. is the Postulant mistress.

S.D. Formation House was blessed by Mar Abraham D. Mattam, on 1 Octobcr, 1995. The construction work was done under the guidance of Sr. Libia, assisted by Sr. Dania. The fírst-floor was constructed, in 1998. This house is meant for the formation of the postulants belonging to the Pushpadham Region, in North índia. At present, there are three aspirants who are doíng their plus two studies. So far, five batchcs of candidates had undergonc their formation herc. The profcssion together with the vestition of the fírst batch was held, on 27 November, 1999, in Kerala. Sr. Rose Mary, S.D is the present Aspirant Mistress.

C.S.N.  FORMATION HOUSE, PATERI

The foundation stone for Nazareth Bhavan was laid, on 14 March, 1995. The house was blessed and inaugurated by Mar Abraham D. Mattam on 3 July 1997. Srs. Alacoquc, Majclla, Anila and Agnett were the fírst members. At the initial stage this had been functioning as a study house for the aspirants. The Theology classes for the postulants of all congregations were held herc since 15 September, 1998 onwards. Later on, 2 February, 1999, the fírst batch of 10 novices entered canonical novitiate. At present, there are 10 novices, 10 postulants and 10 aspirants undergoing training here. The present community includes Srs. Christina (Superior), Tessy (Novicc Mistress), Sherly (Postulant Mistress) and Sr. Rani Maria (Aspirant Mistress).

In 1982 and 1995 Postulancy for the candidates of S.A.B.S Congregation was done, at Aradhana Nivas, Panna. From 1997 onwards the formation for aspirants and Postulants is given at the Provincial House, Satna. At present, there are 5 postulants. Sr. Rosily Manavalan, S.A.B.S, is the present Postulant Mistress.