By Matters India Reporter

Bhopal: Major seminary rectors of India recently spent two days to seek ways for the effective spiritual formation of their students in the modern world.

“We reflected upon the theme: ‘Spiritual formation in seminaries. Previous meetings had discussed on human and intellectual formation,” Divine Word Father Francis Pereira, rector of theology at Khristo Jyoti (light of Christ), an inter-diocesan theologate, Sambalpur, Odisha, told Matters India.

Father Pereira was among 77 rectors of various major seminaries in India who attended the Nov 7-8 national meeting at the Pastoral Centre in Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh state.

The Association of Rectors of Major Seminaries (ARMS) joined the commission for seminaries, clergy and religious of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India to organize the event.

Father Maria Antony of Sivagangai diocese elaborated on the theme.

The participants discussed motivation and models, dynamism of spiritual formation, perspectives and helps from psychology and some practical aspects.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal presided over the Mass and inaugural session. Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai Agnelo Gracias gave the keynote address.

Next year’s theme would be pastoral formation.