Mission activities, missionary formation in Carmelgiri Aluva

St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Aluva, Kerala, India, organizes number of events for the formation of young missionaries in their journey towards priesthood. Thus, Carmelgiri aims at the formation of seminarians in the multi-religious and cultural context of India, through human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and missionary programmes. This formation program is presently being carried forward through the dedicated efforts of the various Forums of Brothers functioning within the Seminary. Inspired by the missionary theme, we have embraced the motto of the year: ‘Illumined by Truth, Transformed for Mission.’ Weare pleased to share certain activities of the Forums that pertain to human dimension and mission-oriented formation. The forums for human dimension in the seminary include the Social Action, Social Service, and the Migrants’ Welfare Forums.

The Social Action Forum of the Seminary is committed to fostering sustainable development within society, with particular attention to the weaker sections of the community, irrespective of caste, creed, or gender. Forum is engaged in building up a new social order with gender and environmental sensitivity based on moral values and principles.Carmelgiri Social Service Forum aims to empower the seminarians on human centered formation through social service. This is one of the forums through which social awareness and commitment among the students are promoted. This forum helps seminarians to spread the love of Jesus to the poor, the needy and the marginalized. The forum generates its income from different activities such as fasting on all Fridays, collecting and selling waste paper, plastic covers and bottles, running a hair dressing and a book binding Center, and collecting half of the profit of the agricultural work of each batch. Forum also financially helps the poor persons who are seeking a shelter to protect their lives.

In the month of August, the Social Service Forum organized a Blood Donation Camp in Collaboration with Lourdes Hospital in the Archdiocese of Verapoly. On 20 August 2026 brothers gathered in Auditorium to donate blood. After the health check-up 63 of them including some of the Fathers and Auxiliary staff donated their blood. It was a part of helping poor patients and in the situation of emergency of blood. ‘Green Carmelgiri’ was one of the major initiatives undertaken for the protection of nature. We are confident that this forum plays an integral role in shaping future pastors.

The Migrants’ Welfare Forum gathers every month to share reflections and discernment on the challenges of missionary work. Its members serve among those who have migrated to Kerala for employment, offering pastoral presence and accompaniment. In response, the animator provides insights and reflections that strengthen the wellbeing of our mission and sustain the seminarians in their apostolic commitment.

Mission Week: The third week of October is solemnly set apart for fostering mission awareness among the brothers. A variety of creative and informative programmes were organized, including a mission exhibition, mission movie, mission academy, mission-themed games, mission auction, and the popular mission shop. All these events Entrusted to different batches all we’re made successful through the active participation and cooperation of the entire Seminary community. As part of the Forum’s annual mission contribution was collected and sent to the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of Faith. This generous contribution reflected the commitment and enthusiasm of the brothers in supporting missionary initiatives beyond the Seminary.

Overall, the Missiology Forum has played a significant role in promoting missionary zeal and encouraging brothers to involve themselves actively in mission-related ministries. The wholehearted participation of the students made programmes meaningful and fruitful, contributing greatly to their formation and strengthening the missionary spirit within the Seminary.

As part of our missionary and pastoral formation, Seminarians had the opportunity to participate in a Mission Exposure Programme from 14 March to 22 March 2026 at Christ the King Church, Elavumthitta, in the Diocese of Punalur, Kerala, India. The programme was organized under the guidance and support of the Missiology Forum and was a valuable opportunity to experience the pastoral life and missionary activities of a mission parish. These visits gave the seminarians an opportunity to understand the lives, faith experiences, and concerns of the people more closely.

We unite ourselves with the universal celebration of Mission Sunday, embracing the theme: ‘One in Christ, United in Mission’. We proclaim and witness Christ’s good news, live out the mission of Jesus through faithfulness to the Gospel and hope for the kingdom of God on earth. The generous support of the Diocese of Columbus enables us to enhance the facilities available for candidates in formation, by strengthening the human and intellectual dimensions of their training and by providing material assistance for their stay in the Seminary. All the more, with your generous support, the seminarians are enabled to undertake outreach programs, mission exposure activities, and pastoral ministries, thereby extending the mission of the Church to those most in need.

With fraternal esteem, we extend our cordial greetings and heartfelt prayers to all who have generously supported Carmelgiri Seminary through the Mission Appeal program, thereby sharing in the mission of forming future heralds of the Gospel. May the Lord abundantly bless the kind‑hearted faithful of Columbus Diocese, whose generosity continues to embrace the global mission and uplift the needy across the world.

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