By Elvis Fernandes
Pilar, July 7, 2025: A major seminary in the western Indian state of Goa has made its 21 theology students work in farms so that they learn better what is taught in classes.
The students of the second, third and fourth year theology classes of the Pilar Theological Institute spent the afternoons of July 5 and 6 cultivating paddy and vegetables on a two-acre land owned by the Society of Pilar.
“It helps the seminarians gain a deeper understanding of what they learn in class; to have a more contextualised approach to theology,” explained Father John Bennet, director of studies of the seminary, also known as the All India Mission Seminary of the Society of Pilar.
“This exposure can be particularly valuable for the future clergy who may be called to serve where agriculture is a central part of life,” he told Matters India July 7.
This way of doing theology, Father Bennet added, emphasizes the importance of the specific cultural, social, and historical context in which Christian faith is understood and lived. “It acknowledges that theological reflection is not done in a vacuum but is shaped by the unique experiences, perspectives, and challenges of a particular community.”
The students belonged to the dioceses of Dumka and Daltonganj in Jharkhand, Purnia and Patna in Bihar, Krishnagar in West Bengal, besides the Pilar theology students.
Father Bennett said most students had previous experiences of cultivating paddy.
The students were given an opportunity to view agriculture as a practical application of theological principles, particularly those related to stewardship, justice and compassion, the director explained.
Brother Aston Carvalho, a third-year student of the Society of Pilar, said the experience taught him and his companions “invaluable lessons about the importance of teamwork, patience, and perseverance.”
He further said that “it brought about a sense of our stewardship towards nature and I hope that our collective efforts will yield a bountiful harvest.”
Brother Prabhu Prakash, a second-year student of Patna diocese, said that “engaging in planting paddy was an act of solidarity with the ‘Annadata’ (bread giver) – the farmers who toil day in and day out to provide for our sustenance.” He said cultivating paddy made him reflect on the inherent dignity and worth of farmers who are often marginalized in society.
Reflecting on his experience of transplanting paddy, Brother Markus Tudu, a second year student of the diocese of Dumka, said, “We are intrinsically connected to mother earth – we are formed of the earth, live on the earth, and one day mingle with the earth.”
He also said when people take care of the earth, the earth will take care of them.
Theologizing on the experience of paddy cultivation, Brother Sailesh Gavit, a fourth-year student of the Society of Pilar, said, “We do the tilling of the land and farming but it is God who gives the growth and fruits.”
The Society of Pilar has been involved in agricultural development and revival right from the beginning. One of their members, Father Remedios do Rosario Gomes, who carried out missionary work in Panchwaddi, Shiroda, Monki (Canara) and Honawar, taught the people of his parish how to cultivate paddy fields.
In Pilar, he converted an undeveloped land into fertile land to grow paddy. The agriculture department of the then Portuguese government awarded him with ‘Golden ear of corn’ (a plaque with an ear of corn made of gold), and cash, for developing agricultural production.
Another member, Father Inacio Almeida, studied agriculture at the Asian Rural Institute in Japan. On his return to Goa, he developed all the agricultural properties and fields of his congregation. He was given the epithet ‘Dharti Mata’ (mother earth) because of his great love for the mother earth and environment.
Recognizing his social work among the tribals, the government of Goa in 1984 awarded him with “Somaz Sevok Puroskar’’ (Social worker Prize).
In my comment what I meant by “Work and learn” is that all those who are undergoing training in formation houses must WORK, EARN and LEARN. Today EVERYTHING during priestly formation is FREE. The basic necessities like food, clothes, shelter, health and education are given freely. The candidates lead a “SECURED LIFE”. Hence, they rarely understand the challenges/struggles that the common people face. In short, present-day formation is an ALIENATION for the real world.
“Work and learn” must be made mandatory throughout formation years in all formation houses in India.
Jay Kisan. Bending low to grow food offers multiple benefits. Learning from the food growers the art of ploughing, sowing, weeding, transplanting, and harvesting are win-win equations. Preaching the Good News of liberation and emancipation from hunger and joblessness through concrete deeds can never fall on deaf years.