St. Francis Xavier Seminary

This article is about the seminary in Pakistan. For the United States seminary, see Athenaeum of Ohio. For other uses, see St. Francis Xavier (disambiguation).

St. Francis Xavier Seminary is situated on four hectares of land next to the Christian housing estate of Yuhannabad, 25 kilometers east of Lahore. It is an Institute of Philosophical studies serving the whole country. It offers a two-year program in Christian Philosophy. It is affiliated to the Pontifical Urban University of Rome. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan decided on 18 April 1990 to build this new seminary for philosophical studies in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore. The first group of seminarians joined on 1 September 1994.[1] [2]

On December 2 1994 the new building was opened by Cardinal Jozef Tomko, special envoy of the Vatican to Pakistan.[3]

The physical structure consists of three blocks. One block houses the administration, Staff residence, lecture rooms and library. Another block is the residence of the seminarians comprising dormitories, a common room, a small store, bathroom facilities and a room for the Moderator of the group.

The third block houses the chapel, the dining room, the kitchen, the pantry, the kitchen store, the main store and a multipurpose hall used as a recreation hall by the seminarians. It is also used as a theatre for film shows and drama, not only for the seminarians but also for the people of the area. It is also used as an assembly hall.

The building is surrounded by a fairly large piece of land, which is being developed as a wheat and rice field also a vegetable garden; a small recreational spot, which includes a football ground, a basketball court and a Marian Shrine.

The seminary is also host to the St Francis Xavier School, built inside the seminary compound for the children of the poor, where the seminarians also teach catechism and English.[3]

In 1997, Father Bernard Mangion was rector of the seminary.[4]

On 23 April 1999, the Seminary was officially affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical Urban University of Rome, which enabled it to award the degree of Baccalaureate in Philosophy.[5] In 2008, 16 students wrote the B Ph examination of the Pontifical Urbaniana University and were awarded degrees.

Until 2005 Father Ranjit, SJ was the Rector. At the time there were 25 seminarians. Fr. Khalid Yusaf was appointed Rector on 29 July 2005.[6]

In June 2011 the seminary had to increase its annual budget for its 52 seminarians from 250,000 rupees to 400,000 rupees because of expected price rises after a disappointing national budget.[7]

On May 4, 2012 Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, appointed Fr. Azif John as Rector of the Seminary.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Seminarians Gain Inspiration From Cathedral Founder".
  2. ↑ "Pontificia Universitàs Urbaniana".
  3. 1 2 Catholic Herald, UK, 19 June 2009
  4. ↑ "UCANews.com August 20, 1997".
  5. ↑ St. Francis Xavier Seminary Handbook 2005
  6. ↑ "New rector for St Francis Xavier major seminary for philosophy in Lahore".
  7. ↑ UCANews June 9, 2011
  8. ↑ Agenzia Fides 17 December 2012

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