Independence Day

The 65^th Independence Day was celebrated in anticipation on 12^th August 2011, in St. Peter’s Auditorium at 6.00 P.M. The words on the backdrop has a quotation “Into that heaven of Freedom my Father, let my country awake” taken from the famous poem of Rabindranath Tagore “Where the mind is without fear.” The same was sung as prayer song to commence the program. Dr. Shri Ashwath Narayan, M. L. A. of Malleswaram constituency was the Chief Guest. In his keynote address he shared his ideas of being a good citizen of the country. Admitting to the fact of the corrupt situations of our country, especially among the leaders, he challenged to meet the problems by being a good politician. He sounded a note of appreciation for the good works that the missionaries rendered towards the country and its people.

Independence Day message was delivered by Rev. Deacon Sanjay, who highlighted various achievements that our country accomplished, and he invited to pay
attention to the need for social concern and interest in reformation of India. He elaborately and ironically analyzed the socio-economic and political scenario of
the country and at the same time voicing out his concern for the country’s welfare. The celebration concluded with the National Anthem.

Community Day

 The Community Day was celebrated on the feast of John Mary Vianney on the 4th August every year. It is one of the major events of the community.  The celebration included Class-wise Skit competition. The Community Day program is always marked by joyful entertainment from each competing groups involving all the students from First Year Philosophy to Fourth Year Theology students. This year, the Community Day as it had always been, was welcomed with zeal and enthusiasm, the Competition as usual began at 3.30 P.M. in St. Peter’s Auditorium. The performance by different classes with variant themes left the audience awestruck for the extraordinary exhibition of skills and talents by the brothers in their roles as Script Writers, Directors, Actors, Musicians, Stage and Backdrop Artists etc. The painstaking efforts of the brothers in staging the skits are surpassed by the fascination that they brought out in their performances. The First Year Theology students snatched away the First Position in the competition.  During the programme, the individual and the group prizes were announced and awarded to the winners of various competitions held during the course of a month before the Day of celebration. The Championship Trophy was awarded to the highest-scoring Group by Very Rev. Fr. Rector.

Benjamin’s Day

 As the Academic Year begins the first program that the English Academy organizes is the Benjamin’s Day (Benjamin’s Smile) on 28th Of June every Year on the eve of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.Benjamin’s Day is a symbolic title, named after the youngest son of Jacob in the Bible. The title thus expresses the welcome and the importance given to the youngest members of the community. It is the occasion when the community officially welcomes the new members of the community especially the First year Philosophy students, but the day in general is also the occasion to welcome the new members of the staff, the new students among the First Year Theology Students and the Post Graduates students. Each group of the new-comers introduced themselves to the community after the group presentation. This year the community witnessed lively presentations of mime, short play and group song by the new-comers of First Year Philosophy students, First Year Theology students and the new members of the staff respectively. Very Rev Fr. Rector in his address invited the new members of the staff and students to feel at home.

Deacons’ Farewell and Christmas-Get-Together

 The forthcoming events are Deacons’ Farewell program and the Christmas-Get-Together. Both the events come in the month of December a few days before the Christmas Vacation. The Deacons’ Farewell on 17th December is an emotionally moving event as being the day when we bid Adieu to the outgoing students of our seminary. It is also a joyful farewell as the community wishes them successful and fruitful ministry in their future pastoral ministry in their respective dioceses. The Community delights in having formed the brothers who will soon be working in the Lord’s Vineyard as priests.

After the Farewell Program, the seminary celebrates the event of the Birth of Jesus Christ together as a family in anticipation on the 19th December, before the students leave for holidays. A week prior to the celebration, the English Academy distributes a Christmas card to each member of the community with a name of a surprise Christmas Friend for whom he will be praying throughout, till the celebration. On the day of celebration, the Geetha Rollers, the Kanada Academy and the Tamil Academy come up with melodious and lively Christmas Carol Songs. The Santa Claus with his dance and songs, makes the Community enthusiastic. The Party games make the occasion sportive.  Finally, the members of the staff announce their Christmas Friends and present gifts to them. The Christmas celebrations come to an end with the Rector’s Christmas message.
Besides the above programs mentioned the English Academy biennially stages an English Drama for the community and for the well-wishers of the Community.
All the programs of the English Academy provide opportunity for the brothers to express and realize their God given talents and potentials. The apt guidance given by the Director of English Academy, Rev. Fr. T. Xavier Terrence had always led to the happy conclusion of all the programs held by the English Academy.

Office bearers

 Very Rev. Fr. K. J. Thomas, the Rector of the Seminary as the President, Rev. Fr. T. Xavier Terrence as the Director, Bros. Lawrence Darlong and Joseph Castelino as the secretaries, the English Academy shines on, serving the community with the co-operation of all the staff and the students of St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary.