Report of the Inaugural Day
Report of the Inaugural day at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol
The solemn Inauguration of the new formative year 2011-2012 of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol was held on the 22nd July 2011. His Grace, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao presided over the solemn Eucharist.
In his homily he reminded the Seminary Community to mirror Divine love on earth by keeping the Covenant with creation.
At the end of the Mass the Rector and the Professors made a Solemn Profession of Faith and took the oath of fidelity. after the Holy Eucharist the Inaugural session began at 11:30 a.m. the Seminary Orchestra melodiously initiated the programme what was followed by the traditonal lighting of the lamp. the Rector of the Seminary, Rev. Fr. Dennis Fernandes in his opening address welcomed Rev. Fr. Arvino Fernandes the new member on the staff and the 19 new seminarians who have joined the Seminary for the current Academic year. A word of sincere appreciation was extended to the out going staff members. Rev. Fr Romeu Godinho, Rev. Fr. Satana D'Souza and Rev. Fr. George Ratos.
Fr. George Dias then delivered the Lectio Brevis, on the topic " Being at home on the Earth: an Eco theology of Bl. John Paul II". Fr. Dias recalled the teachings of Bl. John Paul II, exhorting Humans regarding the respect that is due from humanity to the Cosmos. He said that every man and woman without any particular religious conviction should recognize their obligations to contribute to the restoration of the healthy environment. Fr. Dias also derived inspiration from this year's pastoral letter of the Archbishop, which elucidates how the Human beings is a co-creator in the likeness of God. Attuning to the topic the Santa Cecilia Choir of the Seminary sang the wonders of the Creator through a Choral " O Praise the Lord all Ye Nations".
In His concluding message the Archbishop expressed the need to create a situable environment for intergral formation and self transformation. he reminded that we are our own formators. He also added in this year of formation we must experience Christ and win others for Christ. He proposed four H to the seminarians for this year; Holiness, Humility, Helpfulnes and Honesty. the inaugural session came to a close with the Seminary Anthem. The compere of the day was Sem. Milagres Fernandes and the Co-ordinator of the day was Sem. Mansueto Fernandes