Jubilee of Seminarians and Formees Held in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman

Goa, July 20, 2025: The Diocesan Institutes of Priestly Formation, the Conference of Religious India (Goa Unit), and the Diocesan Office for the Promotion of Vocation in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman jointly organised the Jubilee of Seminarians and Formees on July 20, 2025, at Fr. Agnel Ashram, Verna. The theme of the celebration was “Pilgrims of Hope, Witnesses of Communion.”

His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, presided over the Eucharistic celebration held on the occasion. Fr. Valerian Fernandes, Rector of the Seminary of Our Lady, Sligao-Pilern, Fr. Adrian Fernandes SFX, Faculty at Pilar Theological College, Pilar, Fr. Agnelo Gomes SFX, Director of Agnel Technical Educational Complex, Fr. Reagan Fernandes, Convenor of the Committee formed for the Jubilee of Seminarians and Formees, and other priests concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.

Delivering a homily on the theme, "Pilgrims of Hope, Witnesses of Communion", Cardinal Ferrão called upon the formees to deepen their relationship with Jesus as Pilgrims of Hope and become Witnesses of Communion.

Cardinal Ferrão, who also serves as the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), emphasised that personal intimacy with Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian discipleship.

“Our personal encounter with Jesus is an essential dimension of our discipleship. That is what Pope Francis continues to remind us when he asks the Church to become a Synodal Church,” the Cardinal said. “When disciples of Jesus journey in profound intimacy with Him, rooted in a personal experience of Christ, they become true witnesses of hope and communion.”

Encouraging the formees to be attentive to God’s presence in their everyday lives, Cardinal Ferrão noted, “In your journey of formation, God will appear to you in different forms, shapes, times, and events. When we welcome Christ and grow in our personal experience of Him, Jesus fills us with hope so that we can become witnesses of hope.”

“We need to accept our challenges, sufferings, and difficulties. In intimacy with Jesus, we continue the saving mission of Christ,” said the Prelate.

Reflecting on the grace of divine calling, Cardinal Ferrão said, “Jesus has called us because He loves us — not because you and I are the best in town, or the most talented or the strongest,” he said. “Jesus chooses the weak and empowers them. The secret of empowerment lies in our journey of formation.”

He concluded by inviting the formees to grow steadily in their spiritual lives and embody the call of the Church today. “We must grow in our personal experience of Jesus and become joyful pilgrims of hope and committed witnesses of communion.”

Approximately 400 participants including seminarians, formees and the formators participated in the event and were divided into three groups for smooth facilitation:

● Group I (Candidates, Pre-Novices, Apostolic School to Novices) was guided on the theme by Fr. Valerian Fernandes OFM Cap.

● Group II (Post-Novitiate till the final stage of formation) was led by Fr. Kenneth Teles, Episcopal Vicar for the South Zone.

● Group III, consisting of formators accompanying the formees, was animated by Fr. Edison Fernandes SDB.

The post-lunch session featured group conversations on various topics, facilitated by Fr. Ramiro Luis and Fr. Melito D’Costa.

Fr. Adrian Fernandes SFX warmly welcomed the seminarians, formees and formators. Seminarians from the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol led the liturgical singing for the Eucharistic Celebration, while the liturgy was animated by Sr. Justina Vaz HC. Fr. Clive Diniz and team conducted action songs to engage the participants.

Each participant received a Certificate of Participation as a token of appreciation for their involvement in the event. Along with the certificate, a small packet of seeds was gifted to symbolise growth and hope, encouraging them to nurture both the earth and their spiritual journey. Upon arrival and registration, every participant was also issued a Pilgrim’s Admit Card, marking their entry into the meaningful experience as Pilgrims of Hope.

Fr. Reagan Fernandes, Convenor of the Jubilee, thanked everyone for their wholehearted support and participation.

Jubilee of Seminarians and Formees Held in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman

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