Spiritual and Liturgical Formation

In the Seminary, the spiritual formation is designed to help students live in intimate and unceasing communion with the Father, through Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit (Constitution 158) with a special emphasis to the deepening of Theresian Spirituality. Besides our regular spiritual practices in common such as Divine Praises, Holy Qurbana, Meditation, Visit to the Bl. Sacrament, Marian Devotion, Adoration etc., we conduct special prayer services, reflections and spiritual talks for the community. Batch-wise Group prayers and Group Masses are conducted at least once in every week.

For their spiritual direction, apart from the resident spiritual father and the other fathers in the seminary, the students also benefit from the services of non-resident spiritual directors. The services of confessors are made available to the students in every month and on special occasions. Monthly Recollection is conducted regularly for all. Annual Retreat is arranged for the students in the month of December.

Pastoral and Catechetical Formation

The Seminarians are given special care and proper guidance in pastoral ministry and missionary apostolate. They render pastoral services to the neighboring parishes regularly on Sundays. On Sundays, we conduct catechism classes in our Seminary for the children of the locality. Third year philosophers are permitted to go for catechism classes and other pastoral assistance on Sundays. The seminary has special programme and plans like Catechetical Preparatory sessions, music classes, Guidance in youth animation, etc.

Social Orientation

The Socio-economic context of India and the unique spirit and charism of our Congregation in particular in which unfolds the future religious and priestly career of our seminarians underscore the utmost significance of the social thrust and social awareness that we should integrate in our major seminary training. With a view towards forming priests whose mission will be marked by a prophetic thrust by denouncing oppression and announcing the message of hope, our seminarians must be introduced to the down to earth social realities of poverty, inequality, sufferings, etc. through periodic exposure camps, social awareness programmes, involvement in people’s movement, etc.

The social formation in the seminary is envisaged to be an integral part of the academic formation. It is reflected in the structure of the academic curriculum and the other requirements of the institute. Following the spirit of the Little Flower Congregation, students are given opportunity to understand the life problems of the people, especially of the poor and the oppressed, through direct contact. The second and third year philosophers go at least twice a month for social experience and social service. The first years too are initiated to the social experience especially in the second semester. They go mostly on Sundays, in small groups, to colonies and organize children and youth, conduct tuition for children, visit families and arrange cultural programmes. Hospital and Old-age Homes are also areas of their social apostolate.

The seminarians who are members of the ‘Jesus Fraternity’ involve themselves in Prison Ministry. They assist in the Mass offered in Prison and occasionally conduct prayer services and entertainment programmes for the prisoners. They do special sacrifices and prayers for the success of this ministry.

There are voluntary initiatives from the students themselves whereby they have formed a group (Yachaka Sahaya Sangam - YSS) to assist especially those approaching the seminary for various material aids. They successfully explore the ways and means to find out the resources for the same from the community itself.

Indian Orientation

The Unique Indian context of our Apostolate signifies the need for the appropriate integration of Indian Values, spirituality, religiosity, heritage, world view and life-style in our formation. Our philosophical training promotes an abundant use of the rich heritage of Indian thought. The principle of inculturation and a praxis-oriented approach permeate the various courses and other aspects of formation.

Mission Orientation

Being the common formation house of our Congregation, the major seminary also does take up the various responsibilities associated with it to stand up to its various implications of being common. Little Flower Seminary has a special obligation to provide for the academic, linguistic and inculturated formation of the seminarians of the mission provinces

Students’ Council

In areas directly pertaining to the formation of the seminarians, the consultation of the students-body is ensured and a permanent structure like student council is established towards it. The students’ council consists of elected representatives from each batch of seminarians. It takes care of various activities that supplement regular academic programme, such as, extension lectures, seminars etc. This body also facilitates dialogue and effective communication between the staff and the students, fostered by participative leadership and responsibility.

Extra-curricular Activities

The Literary and Cultural Academy acts as the forum for initiating and developing the various talents and skills of the students. The Academy conducts weekly sessions, which are the principal means of training in public speaking. Along with this, other cultural programmes are also staged. Dramas, Quiz competitions and Debates are also arranged occasionally under the auspices of the Cultural Academy. The students express their literary talents through the annual manuscript. Special training in various games and music, under skilled professionals, is also provided. Friendline - a student initiative and a student-managed enterprise, offers the students an extra forum to freely express their creative talents in writing, drawing, etc.