Welcome to the New Comers, Orients Batch, 2017-18
June 25, 2017 was a red letter day in the history of St. Pius X College, for on that day, the Seminary welcomed 10 young candidates for the Priesthood; 9 of them for the Archdiocese of Bombay, while 1 for the Diocese of Sindhudurg.
Front Row: (L-R) Richard Fernandes (Sind), Jewlyn Mark Fialho (Bom), Ritesh Haldankar (Bom), Auossie Winnie Paul (Bom), Adrian Misquitta (Bom).
Back Row: (L-R) Noel D'Souza (Bom), Ivel Mathias (Bom), Kenneth Pinto (Bom), Fr. Aniceto Pereira (Rector), Fr. Jervis D'Souza (Moderator), Rolwyn Lobo (Bom), Anand Patil (Bom).
The First Year of Seminary Formation, which is called the Orientation Year, is a year of spiritual growth, formation and discernment. This Orientation Year has basically three main objectives:
The candidate is helped to clarify and concretize his calling and his vocation.
The candidate deepens his spiritual life.
The candidate is prepared for his future seminary studies, namely Philosophical and Theological.
The heavy rains did not deter nor dampen the spirits of these 10 young candidates, as all were present well before the appointed time. Our new comers, their parents, family members and friends were first treated to tea and some mouthwatering snacks, which was followed by a meaningful prayer service.
Fr. Aniceto Pereira, Rector of St. Pius X College, addressed the gathering, warmly welcomed the 10 candidates. He gifted them ‘the Everyday Prayer Book’, which the new seminarian will use it to pray at least 3 times a day.
After a moving prayer service, all were eager to take photographs in the beautiful Main Chapel of the Seminary. The new candidates and their families felt at home as the Staff Members and the Permanent Deacons interacted with them. Soon after the program, the new candidates had their first session with Fr. Jervis D’souza, Moderator of the Orientation Year.
We hope and pray that these young men may persevere in the Seminary and become Priests’ after the heart and mind of Christ.
Fr. Jervis D’Souza
Moderator of Orientation Year
