By: Adolf Washington
Bengaluru: “The quality of seminary formation has a powerful bearing on the future Priestly ministry of the candidates. The fruits or the outcome of formation is only seen in the quality of pastoral ministry of priests,” Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore told 120 Major Seminary Rectors from across India, February 11.
The prelate who was addressing the rectors at the Mass on the second day of a 3-day National seminar at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK) in Bengaluru emphasized that “meticulous care must be taken in orienting seminarians to cultivate a deep sense of spirituality coupled with a humane attitude towards the flock they will serve, by emulating Jesus the good shepherd as seen in the gospels”.
The archbishop spoke of the need for formation that orients seminarians towards a spirit of compassion and and understanding of human suffering as Jesus the good shepherd did. The Archbishop speaking on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes also called upon over 300 nuns and seminarians gathered, to strengthen their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The 3-day seminar organized by Dharmaram Institute faculty on the theme ‘Human Formation in Major Seminaries’ focused on the humane nature of Jesus as good Shepherd portrayed in the gospel as a model to follow.
DVK popularly known as Dharmaram College is a Pontifical Athenaeum of Philosophy, Theology and Canon Law and the Major Seminary of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate Congregation (CMI).