Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 20: St Joseph inter-diocesan seminary, on Monday November 18 organized Benefactors’ Day.

This was an event to remain grateful and to especially pray for all the benefactors and donors of the institution. Around 230 guests from near and far participated in the programme.

The event began with a warm reception of the guest followed by a solemn eucharistic celebration in the chapel, presided over by Bishop of Mangaluru and president of the Board of Administrators, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus, Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Fr Ronald Serrao, seminary rector, seminary staff, benefactors and 167 seminarians.

After mass, Fr Ronald Serrao, addressed the gathering expressing his gratitude to the benefactors for their generosity and love to the seminary. He gratefully acknowledged the sacrifices of the benefactors to train the future priests from 36 dioceses and six religious congregations of the country. He gratefully acknowledged their sacrifices for the seminary. Bishop Peter Paul then verbalized his sentiments of gratitude to all, the benefactors and formators for their sincere silent work in the spread of the Gospel. He reiterated the words of the rector and mentioned that the sacrifice of the benefactors, both abroad and here, help the church to fulfil its mission.

Thereafter, all moved to the Centenary Memorial Hall for a fellowship meal. Bishop Emeritus, Aloysius Paul D’Souza, prayed the grace before meals. The seminarians served food for all the guests and made all the arrangements for the programme. The guests then went around the campus, visited its museum, library, vegetable garden and marvelled at the beauty of the seminary premises.