The grand Fourth Centenary celebrations of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol were ceremoniously Inaugurated by His Grace Archbishop Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao who presided over the solemn commemorative Eucharist on the first of November 2010 at 10.30 A.M in the Seminary Church. More than two hundred priests concelebrated and about hundred seminarians, and several religious women,and a large number of lay faithful participated in the Eucharistic celebration.

Among the dignitaries was the distinguished presence of three former Rectors of the Seminary, Rev. Fr.Arnolfo Mazarello, Rev. Fr. George Nazareth, and Rev. Fr. Thomas Aquino Sequeira. Among the former Professors, were the versatile Rev. Fr. Jose Remedios, the present Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Caetano Cruz Fernandes, the former Vicar General, and many other Priests who had served as Prefects.

 Earlier, the Rector Rev. Fr. Dennis Fernandes welcomed the dignitaries gathered together, and called to mind the great milestones in the illustrious history of the Seminary. He invited everyone to thank God for the unique gift of the Seminary to the Church in Goa. Fr. Rector also specially welcomed the eighteen newly ordained Priests to their “Alma Mater”.

In the homily, His Grace, the Archbishop Patriarch paid tribute to the great service that the Seminaryhas rendered to the Church in Goa, to the country, and elsewhere in the world. He exhorted the Staffand the seminarians to carry further the glorious traditions of the seminary. The Archbishop furtherurged the priests and the seminarians to love Christ passionately, preach the word of God actively, share the love of God through the celebration of the sacraments, and offer themselves in loving service to all humanity.

The liturgy of the day was devoutly animated by Rev. Fr Candido Fernandes, and the congregation was moved to raise their voices in thanksgiving and praise by the celestial singing and music of the St.Cecelia choir led by Rev. Fr. Romeo Monteiro.The joyful atmosphere that built the synergy of the occasion reached its climax when Rev. Fr. Joaquim Loiola Pereira, the secretary of the Archdiocese, read the message and greetings of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the fourth centenary of the Seminary. His Holiness expressed his joy and called the Seminary to carry on the noble task of the formation of priests in the image and likeness of Christ, and invited the seminarians to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Following the tradition which states that the College of the Jesuits at Rachol was solemnly inaugurated with the celebration of the Vespers of the feast of All Saints, the Rector, the seminarians and the staff had sung the Vespers on the eve of today’s function. Finally, Fr. Donato Rodrigues, Professor of Moral Theology, proposed a vote of thanks . He then invited the guests to a fellowship meal. He further strongly urged the Parish Priests to send delegates to the International Conference organized by the Seminary to mark its fourth centenary on the theme “ Catholicism in the World of Science” scheduled from the 17th to the 20th of December 2010.