https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=St._Aloysius_Minor_Seminary%2C_TrivandrumSt. Aloysius Minor Seminary, Trivandrum - Revision history2026-08-20T08:04:44ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=St._Aloysius_Minor_Seminary,_Trivandrum&diff=537299&oldid=prevEldarljt at 09:45, 26 March 20262026-03-26T09:45:50Z<p></p>
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'''St. Aloysius Minor Seminary''' is the first minor [[seminary]] of the [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] in Thiruvananthapuram, [[Kerala]], [[India]]. It is situated at Kesavadasapuram,Thiruvananthapuram. <br />
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== History ==<br />
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The Minor Seminary was established by the founder of the reunion movement [[Servant of God]] Archbishop Mar Ivanios on 21 June 1934, on the feast of St. [[Aloysius Gonzaga]].<ref name=TVM>[https://malankaratvm.com/welcome/seminaryview Malankara TVM website, ''St. Aloysius Minor Seminary'']</ref> The seminary started working in a temporary building adjacent to the Little Flower Parish Church, Pattom. In 1938 the seminary was shifted to the Archbishop Mar Ivanios’ residence. The seminary remained at St. Mary's Cathedral Compound for a long time. It moved sites several times and in 2016 this seminary moved to Kesavadasapuram to its present building which was used as the clergy home for retired priests.<ref name=TVM /> <br />
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A Major Seminary was established by Benedict Mar Gregorios in 1983<ref name=TVM /> and it moved to a permanent building at Nalanchira in 1989. The Major Seminary (known as [[St. Mary's Malankara Major Seminary]]) was granted affiliation to the Faculty of Theology of the [[Pontifical Urban University]], Rome on 4 April 2005.<ref name=MS>[https://www.malankaraseminary.org/history-of-smms Malankara Seminary website, ''History of St Mary’s Malankara Seminary'']</ref> The Major Seminary’s motto is ‘to continue Jesus’ mission of love and service.’.<ref name=MS /> In 2019, the Major Seminary had 237 students.{{fact|date=February 2026}}<br />
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== Curriculum ==<br />
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The Minor Seminary course lasts four years. Some students join after completing secondary school, while others enroll after higher secondary education. Those who have completed higher secondary education typically spend two years at the institute, while others spend four years. Students follow a structured routine that includes daily Mass, prayer, academics, and recreation. The curriculum includes higher secondary education along with subjects such as Bible study, Church history, catechism, liturgy, spirituality, etiquette, personality development, music, and languages, particularly Syriac, English, and Malayalam. Regular confession, spiritual direction, and spiritual conferences are part of the seminary routine. The program is designed to prepare students for entry into a major seminary. <br />
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After the successful completion of minor seminary formation, the students are sent to different major seminaries in India for philosophical studies for a period of three years. Subsequently, a whole year is dedicated for practical training called Regency period. After that, they are sent to St. Mary’s Malankara Major Seminary (the only major seminary for the entire Syro-Malankara Catholic Church) for their theological formation.<ref>[https://docslib.org/doc/343890/st-aloysius-minor-seminary-major-archdiocese-of-trivandrum Docs Lib website, ''St Aloysius Minor Seminary, Calendar & Directory 2016-2017'', page 10]</ref> This will last for four years. In short, the priestly formation in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church extends for a period of 12 years. <br />
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== Alumni ==<br />
Former students at the Minor Seminary include;<br />
*[[Geevarghese Panicker]] Principal of Mar Ivanios College<ref>[https://www.syromalankara.church/rev-dr-geevarghese-panicker-dead-2008-12-28.html Malankara Catholic News Network website, ''Rev Dr Geevarghese Panicker'', article dated 28 December 2008 ]</ref><br />
*[[Joshua Mar Ignathios]] first bishop of Mavelikara<ref>[https://mob.mavelikaradiocese.org/profile.php Catholic Diocese of Mavelikara website, ''His Grace Joshua Mar Ignathois'']</ref><br />
*[[Samuel Irenios Kattukallil]] Bishop of Pathanamthitta<ref>[https://www.mallasserycatholic.church St Mary’s Malankara Syrian Catholic Church Mallassery website, ''Lights Guiding Us'']</ref><br />
*[[Benedict Mar Gregorios]] (Varughese/(Kunjukutty) Archbishop of Trivandrum, President of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference (KCBC)<ref>[https://stjohns.ac.in/Welcome/FormerManagement/3 St John’s College Anchal website ''Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios'']</ref><ref>[https://mgcl.ac.in/Welcome/History Mar Gregorios College of Law website, ''History'']</ref><br />
*[[Vincent Mar Paulos]] Bishop of Marthandom<ref>[https://healthforonemillion.com/about/managing-trustee Health for One Million website, ''Managing Trustee'']</ref><br />
*[[Samuel Mar Irenios]] Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum<ref>[https://dioceseofgurgaon.com/info.php?show=495 Diocese of Gurgaon website, ''His Excellency Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios'']</ref><br />
*[[Yoohanon Mar Theodosius]] Bishop of Muvattupuzha and former rector of St Aloysius Minor Seminary,Thiruvananthapuram<ref>[https://www.muvattupuzhadiocese.in/yoohanon-mar-%20theodosius.php Muvattupuzha Diocese website, ''Yoohanon Mar Theodosius'']</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
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[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges in India]]</div>Eldarljt