Mangalore Diocese News

Report by Br Jeevan Shailesh Lobo
Photos by Stanly Bikarnakatte

Mangaluru, Dec 8 : St Joseph Seminary, which has a long-standing legacy of 145 years, celebrated its ‘Seminary Day 2023’ with a dazzling array of cultural programmes and heartfelt expressions of gratitude. The event, graced by esteemed guests including Most Rev Dr Joachim Walder, the auxiliary Bishop of Aizawl Diocese, as the Chief Guest, Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, the Bishop of Mangalore, and the Chairman of the Board of Administration of the Seminary, witnessed a warm welcome extended to dignitaries and attendees by Very Rev Fr Ronald Serrao, the Rector of the Seminary.

The programme commenced with a prayer song, performed by the Seminary Choir, setting an atmosphere of praises and thanks to the Almighty God.

Seminary Rector, Very Rev Fr Ronald Serrao, took the stage to present a comprehensive report highlighting the academic achievements and milestones of the institution during the academic year 2022-2023. The report not only recounted the academic journey but also expressed gratitude for the goodwill of well-wishers.

The chief guest, Most Rev Dr Joachim Walder, in his address recounted his days of formation spent in the seminary and also shared about his missionary works in his diocese.

The cultural events unfolded with a Hindi drama titled “The Apostle of Arunachal Pradesh,” presented by the Hindi Academy. The play vividly portrayed the missionary endeavors of Brother Prem Bhai, offering glimpses into the challenges and triumphs of his evangelization journey in Arunachal Pradesh.

The St Zuze Vas Konkani Academy took the stage with a musical drama titled “ಬರ್ಯಾಂಕ್ ಇನಾಮ್ ಖೊಟ್ಯಾಂಕ್ ಶಿಕ್ಷಾ” based on the parable of Talents from the gospel, challenging everyone to reflect on the use of their talents for the betterment of society.

Malayalam academy presented a thought-provoking Malayalam drama, “Swargathinde Paarpidangal,” exploring the eternal struggle for goodness in the face of impending doom. The performance left the audience on the edge of their seats, contemplating the fate of humanity.

Kannada Academy contributed to the cultural diversity with the drama “ಜೇನುಗೂಡು - the hive of love,” emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and unity in successful marriages.

The evening reached its crescendo with an English drama, “Hiccups of Tyranny: A Tale of Tears,” presented by St Joseph’s Seminary. The play shed light on the enduring presence of power, monarchy, and exploitation in contemporary society, offering a poignant reflection on the struggles faced by citizens against oppressive regimes.

The event culminated with the vote of thanks to all the distinguished guests and everyone present for enhancing the joy of Seminary Day 2023, resonating the collective spirit and gratitude for the blessings of the past 145 years.