Mangalore, Dec 4:

St Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu, celebrated its annual Seminary Day 2025 on Thursday with a vibrant gathering held at the Father Muller Convention Centre, Kankanady, following a last-minute venue change from the seminary premises. The event drew priests, religious, benefactors, parents, and well-wishers in large numbers.

The celebration was marked by the presence of Most Rev. Dr Vincent Aind, Archbishop of Ranchi and an alumnus of the seminary, who served as the Chief Guest. Delivering the keynote address, Archbishop Vincent Aind stressed the need for seminarians to embrace genuine pastoral identity.

Quoting Pope Francis, he urged them to be “pastors who smell of the sheep,” cautioning against becoming “businessmen or boring preachers.” He recalled with gratitude his own years of formation at the seminary, crediting it for shaping his priestly and episcopal journey.

The event was presided over by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore. Among the dignitaries present were Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi; Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore; and Very Rev. Dr Ronald Serrao, former Rector.

Very Rev. Dr Rajesh Melwyn Rosario, Rector of the seminary, presented the annual report, highlighting the institution’s growth, the challenges faced during the past year, and the renewed emphasis on formation policies in its 146th year of service to the Church.

A cultural extravaganza featuring performances by the Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Konkani academies added colour to the celebration. The highlight of the evening was the English drama “The Lore of the Robes: An Ancient Blindness, a Timeless Test,” which conveyed a powerful message on human formation and the inner preparedness required of future priests.

The programme concluded with the singing of the Seminary Anthem, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of unity and hope for the future of priestly ministry. Despite the sudden relocation, Seminary Day 2025 was marked by smooth organisation and a strong sense of community spirit.