The Rogationist St. Thomas Quasi Province has sent two of the religious students, Bro. Rinu and Bro. Jomon, to the national seminary at Kandi, Sri Lanka for their theological studies. Fr. Vinu Velutheppilly, the councillor responsible for the sector of formation joined Fr. Varghese Panickassery, responsible of the Sri Lanken mission, for the inaugural celebration of the academic year on October 01, 2015. Most Rev. Dr. Noel Emmanuel, the new shepherded of the diocese of Trinomalee, Sri Lanka, presided over the opening Eucharistic celebration. Fr. Elmo Dias, the rector of the seminary addressed the staff and students, The rector, quoting the Holy Father, Francis said, "We live in an age when we are constantly being enticed by vain and empty illusions of happiness, we risk settling for less and "thinking small" when it comes to the meaning of life." These illusions can also enter into the minds of 'young men who have kept their hands on the plough.' Therefore, we need to constantly remind the young seminarians who were selected by the Master himself to follow Him and to stay on course with eyes fixed on Jesus, 'without being afraid of or distracted by the strong worldly winds, which makes them sink'. The two brothers are accommodated in the scholasticate of the blessed sacrament fathers in the same campus of the seminary. In the evening we had an encounter with Fr. Justin Chowhan, the director of the scholasticate to discuss the formative program of the brothers together with the blessed sacrament scholastics and to clarify the terms and conditions with the two congregations. Fr. Varghese Panickassery will accompany the two brothers in their theological formation to priesthood.
