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ST. THOMAS MINOR SEMINARY (GURUKULAM)
St. Thomas Seminary (Gurukulam) is the priestly formation centre of the Diocese of Bathery. His Excellency Cyril Mar Baselios, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Bathery, officially inaugurated the Seminary on 18th June 1979; in the same year of his enthronement on 2nd February 1979. The first batch of the seminary had their formation in the Alverna Capuchin Ashram at Kuppady, near Bathery under the direction and care of the then Rector Rev. Fr. Thomas Thannickakuzhy. In the following year it was shifted to the premises of the Catholic Bishop's House. It was only in 1984, the Seminary had its own full-fledged building and surroundings as we see it today. Twelve seminarians of the first batch were ordained priests in the year 1990-'91. From 1979, till 2006, St. Thomas Seminary could provide 67 young and enthusiastic priests for the Church.
At present we have 31 students in the Minor Seminary and 25 students in the Major Seminary. There are 6 brothers doing their regency in different parishes and institutions of the diocese.
The aim of seminary formation is the total and integral development of one's personality in view of becoming a priest. This totality includes all the different dimensions of one's personality namely intellectual, emotional, social, cultural and religious. The total development of these dimensions renders a person emotionally mature, rooted in faith and in loyalty. It makes him fit to seek the will of God in everything. It not only confirms him in Christ but also conforms him to Christ.
True human development is the foundation of spirituality; for God builds upon what we are. As good spiritual leaders of the flock, we have to lead them in every sphere of life. The Lord has promised His people that He himself would give them good shepherds. Therefore, a young seminarian should love discipline and let him to be trained to the integral development of his personality in order to be a good shepherd of the flock of Christ.
In his document on priestly formation, Pope John Paul II wrote that a seminary, more than being a place, a material space, "should be a spiritual place, a way of life, an atmosphere that fosters and ensures a process of formation, so that the person who is called to the priesthood by God may become, with the sacrament of orders, a living image of Jesus Christ, head and shepherd of the Church."
He quoted the Synod Fathers who said that, "To live in the seminary, which is a school of the Gospel, means to follow Christ as the apostles did. You are led by Christ into the service of God the Father and of all people, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thus you become more like Christ the good shepherd in order better to serve the Church and the world as a priest. In preparing for the priesthood we learn how to respond from the heart to Christ's basic question: 'Do you love me?' (Jn. 21:15). For the future priest the answer can only mean total self giving."
At the beginning of the Third Millennium the Church is conscious of the need to contemplate anew the Person of Jesus Christ, for it is through him that she is able once more to "put out into the deep" (Lk 5:4). Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, came among us as servant, friend and brother. Coming to redeem us, he preached holiness of life to all without distinction in a new commandment: "Love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you. It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognise you as my disciples" (Jn 13:34-35).
To ensure the future proclamation of the Gospel, Jesus called certain men to follow him more closely: "He now went up onto the mountain and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to proclaim the message" (Mk 3:13-15). Jesus invited these chosen followers to be with him. In the years of his public ministry these men accompanied Jesus. They were formed by him, with their strengths and weaknesses, in order to be sent forth as authentic witnesses of the Gospel.
Following the inspiration of Christ, the Church provides seminaries as places where those who believe they are called by him to priesthood and who have been accepted for formation may discern and respond to their vocation. Under the authority and guidance of the Bishop of Bathery, Gurukulam follows in this tradition. Everything at Gurukulam is evaluated and understood in the light of the Scriptures, the Tradition, and the Magisterium of the Church, and in the service of the Church's mission. In his years of formation the student, accompanied by seminary staff, is nurtured in his sense of vocation and grows in intimacy with the Lord. Together the staff and students of Gurukulam form a community which, while transient, is foundational for future priestly life and ministry.
Inauguration of the Academic Year 2008-2009
At present there are 36 students in the seminary. I Years: 13, II Years: 11, III Years: 8 and IV Years: 4. Their names are the following:
IV Years
Chenganamadathil Varghese
Kaniyankuzhiyil Chacko
Maleparambil
James
Neernakunnel Thomas
III Years
Alingal David
Attumalil Thomas
Chazhipurath Abraham
Kaniyamparambil Varghese
Kanjiramalayil Eldho
Madathil George
Mudakara Saviour
Panthappillil Varghese
II Years
Cheruvilayil Mathew
Edappattu Paul
Kallolical Thomas
Kizhakkumkara Thomas
Konnanilkunnathil George
Kunnamthuruthiyil Varghese
Kunnumpurath Chacko
Mecherimadathil Stephen
Pachamparambil Sebastian
Periamparambil Varghese
Valiyaveettil Alex Mathew
I Years
Ashariparambil Abraham
Kalloor Mathew
Kunnummel John
Kuttiayath Joseph
Mudampallikuzhiyil Philip
Mullenkuzhiyil Joseph
Nazhoorimattathil Chacko
Parackal Eldho
Pulipra Kurian
Puduparambil Job
Puthenveedu Lawrence
Veliyil John
Vellilackal Thomas
Inauguration of the Academic Year 2008-2009
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Rector: Fr. Dr. Thomas Kanjiramukalil
Vice-Rector & Procurator: Fr. Dr. Jacob Olickal
Spiritual Father: Fr. Zacharias Kottayil
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