Albertine Formation in Building the Kingdom of God on Earth

The three prepositions, ‘by, of and for’ are often used to define a democratic endeavor. The same prepositions can be used to define the role of St. Albert’s College (SAC) in the local Church and in the Universal Church at large. SAC is not only ‘of the Church, by the Church and for the Church’ but also ‘of the people, by the people and for the people.’ It has served the Universal Church as well as local Church in realizing mission and also is continuing to serve and will serve always. The missionary mandate of the Church says, “just as he [Christ] had been sent by the Father (cf. Jn. 20:21), so he sent the apostles into the world, commanding them: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:19ff); “Go into the whole world, preach the Gospel to every creature….”’[1] First and foremost Christ was a missionary, who ‘preached the word of truth and begot churches’ and sent his disciples to do the same. Therefore, it is the duty of every successor to carry on this work so that the Kingdom of God is proclaimed and renewed throughout the world.[2]

The Vision statement of SAC clearly indicates the very purpose of its existence: “To build the Kingdom of God on earth, a just and humane society based on the values of Gospel.” The goal is achieved by means of various activities as enumerated in its mission statement: “To impart a formation which enables the students to be genuine disciples of Jesus; who constantly listen to God’s Word and proclaim it to others fearlessly; who are trustworthy Stewards and Servant-Leaders to build and nourish the faith community with the Sacraments, God’s Word and a personal life Witnesses; who are socially awakened and stand up for human dignity and rights; who are able to transcend all boundaries of caste, creed and race to form human communities.”

Vision and Mission statements

SAC, true to this apostolic act, has been carrying out the mandate as a ‘good and faithful servant’ over the century in forming zealous missionaries, catechists and laity in the vineyard of the Lord as well as in establishing and preserving socio-cultural heritage in the nation. It has formed thousands of priests, over 35 Bishops and a Cardinal, and this itself is a significant data to enumerate. Apart from this, one cannot relinquish significant contributions to the society, such as: demonstration and preservation the local cultural heritage, profound insights in the international research journal known as Sevartham on the contextual theology, spirited participation in curbing social menaces such as illiteracy, poverty and corruption, etc.

Journal of SAC

This short write up is a humble effort to highlight some of the achievements of SAC and areas of its pride.

 

History revolves here...

Spiritual Formation for Transformation

Transformation and renewal of the world and Church in particular depend in great part upon the priestly ministry animated by the spirit of Christ. Therefore, there is a great need for an effective priestly training. For this purpose, Church believes that “greatest contribution is made by the families which are animated by the spirit of faith, charity and piety.”[3] The families and parishes are the first seminaries in training the priests. Continuing this, in the major seminaries, spiritual, intellectual and disciplinary formation is achieved. “Spiritual formation should be closely associated with doctrinal and pastoral formations, and, with the assistance of the spiritual director in particular”.[4]

Formation of priests and intellectuals is a first priority of SAC who build the Kingdom of God in the society by means of - their life and example; teaching and writing, giving leadership and denouncing evil practices. Thus, the formed priests transform the unholy society into a holy society where justice and peace reign.

To nurture the seeds of vocation, seminarians are guided by able spiritual directors who are men of spirituality and good learning.SAC has well-trained counselors who guide the students in their spiritual journey. The associate teachers are not only intellectual guides, but also walk along with the students in their thick and thins. They correct and guide the students. Daily prayers, meditation and Eucharistic celebrations in various groups and as community add flavor to the formation. Similarly, timely novenas, pilgrimages, rosaries, Eucharistic devotions and benedictions strengthen the student in the way to priesthood. Seminarians are trained well in various parish ministries during their stay in the seminary as well as when they go for parish experiences during the vacations.

community Eucharistic celebration

Retreat

In prayer

student-staff relation

Most of the priests who came for the Alumni gathering in view of SAC Centenary Celebration held in the month of September 12-13, 2013, said that the holiness and commitment of the professors and spiritual directors still inspire them. Today, their success in their mission field is due to a well-inculcated formation and guidance they received from their teachers during their stay in SAC. One of the distinguished alumni, Bishop Francis Kalist of Meerut Diocese said, “The staff, specially the Belgium Jesuits, were really holy and simple in their life style, hardworking and committed. They taught us by their life-examples more than through lectures. They accompanied us in true spirit. They prayed with us, worked with us and played with us. They were our fathers as well as our companions. They were great because they were truly humble.” Fr. Jos De Cuyper S.J. in his booklet, St. Albert’s College 1957-2007: A Brief Overview recalls with gratitude the indelible seal left on people by three persons, Fr. T. Heyrman S.J., Fr. F. Eelen S.J., and Fr. F. Quirijnen S.J.as “Spiritual leavens” who gave both staff and seminarians a solid sacerdotal spirituality.[5]

Alumni fathers in SAC

Distinguished alumni

Spiritual contribution of SAC is not only to the priests of the past and present, buts also to the laity of the past and present. Extensive recollections, retreats, talks, seminars and spiritual input sessions to various people in and around the seminary are noteworthy. Over 25 years Fr. Vincent Toppo S.J., is conducting marriage counseling and catechism for the would-be-couples of Chotanagpur plateau. Solving marriage cases and guiding the couples in their marital life is a herculean task which the canonists of this seminary were and are busy with, under the able leadership of Fr. David Bara, who was ably supported by Fr. Linus Pingal Ekka and other professors. It will be a grave mistake if I do not mention Fr. Jos De Cuyper S.J., who was an inter-diocesan canonist and judge for many dioceses of Bijhan and its neighbouring dioceses. He single handedly has solved many casus and was an expert consulter for every matter. It is a matter of pride to say that SAC is a centre of reference for any liturgical and divine queries for every parish and dioceses of BIJHAN. In order to explain to the people, the spiritual and liturgical significance in their own language, the seminary has published a magazine called, “Word and Worship” by Fr. Jos De Cuyper S.J. and latter ably supported by Fr. Linus Kujur S.J. The present younger generation in the seminary and young priests will not forget the liturgist and missiologist Fr. Linus Kujur S.J., for his systematic classes, meetings and above all well-organized liturgical ceremonies in Ranchi. As it is said, ‘we learn by doing’, he teaches by word and example which gets imprinted in the heart of every one. 

 

Fr. Jose De Cuyper S.J

Silver Jubilee alumni (1982 batch)

inauguration of a symposium

Intellectual Transformation

Beginning with the philosophical studies till the pastoral studies in theology, the seminary zealously engages in high level intellectual formation. In line with the revised ecclesiastical norms, the seminary’s philosophical studies lead the students gradually to a solid and consistent knowledge of human being, the world and God. Various courses and seminars, both in western and eastern philosophical trends are conducted and modern and contemporary issues and challenges are sufficiently addressed. In order to recognize the goodness and truth in other faiths and to refute the errors occuring during the encounter with other faiths, various eastern religions are taught and contextualized. The balanced philosophical attitude enables the students to integrate the mysteries of salvation in the higher light of faith and reason.

well equipped library

Brothers relishing modern technology

In order to compete with the growing intellectual culture in the world, various seminars, symposiums and extension lectures are held at SAC. Students actively partake in these events. To develop intellectual skills, seminary conducts various literary competitions. The best essays, poems and other works of various literary genre are published in the seminary wall-board magazine and annul student magazine, Darpan. Many professors write scholarly articles and present them in various platforms.

Fr. Selvaraj, ready to present a paper in ACPI seminar

Fr. Raju moderating a session in ACPI seminar

SAC has become an apt platform for many to excel in intellectual level. Many have obtained Doctorates and other degrees and are doing great service to the Church and nation. Alumni of this seminary are very much successful in various capacities such as directors of social service, legal cell, youth groups, schools etc., in their respective dioceses. The Seminary philosophy degree issued is equivalent to BA-BEd is a recognized Government degree which was a real boon to various minority educational institutes in the then undivided Bihar. Efforts are on to re-recognize this degree in the present Jharkhand government.

Transformation effected by the transformed

‘A good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree bad fruit.’ SAC has been producing good fruits for the world. Over a century ago, missionaries came to Chotanagpur and sowed the seed of faith. At that time no one may have ever thought that one day this insignificant place would be the future seed-bed of missionaries. Thanks to the Jesuit Missionaries who thought ahead of time.  Today, there are missionary priests, brothers and sisters all over the world who studied in this seminary. A little lamp lit in a remote village of Bankuli in 1914, and transposed to its present location in Ranchi is enlightening whole world.

SAC in Bankuli, 1914

Superiors and Rectors

An over-view of SAC

Among the religious leaders formed in this seminary are His Eminence Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo, the first tribal Cardinal of India, over 35 bishops, and over 2000 priests.[6]There are also many women religious who have studied philosophy and theology here, and they are contributing to the Universal church in their own capacity, may be in the form of formation in-charges of their congregations, retreat preaching, recollections, catechisms, seminars and other pastoral areas.

H.E. Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo with Bijhan bishops & staff

Fr. Rector along with the Women Students

In order to achieve social transformation, one needs to understand the social issues and problems. Then one needs to act concretely in the given situation. SAC has them all. St Albert’s College has introduced various courses such as Liberation Theology, Social Teaching of the Church, Praxis oriented Social Analysis, study of various Grass-root Self-empowerment Movements, Basic Christian Communities and several Seminars on burning Social issues of the time like terrorism, communal violence, ecological degradation, emigration, human trafficking, bonded labour, child labour, dowry system etc. In fact, the Students find these issues very relevant and interesting, and actively involve themselves in working out solutions for the problems.

St Albert’s College encourages students to participate in public demonstrations, protests, seminars and programmes meant to protest injustice to the poor sections of the society. They also take part in programmes and marches to protest the violation of human rights, human dignity and tribal rights. They also do not hesitate to join marches and protest against Government policies which violate the Constitution of India.

Awakening Human Dignity and Right

Pope John Paul in his Encyclical, Redemptoris Missio, says that “Charity is the soul of missionary activity. Love is the driving force of mission”.[7]There are millions of people living in slums, dilapidated houses and asylums. They have barely anything to eat. At this juncture Church teaches us to ‘fight hunger by changing our lives’ so as to become brothers and sisters of the poor.In his recent visits to Lampedusa and then to the Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome, Pope Francis challenged  the West on the issue of treatment of asylum seekers. He said, “Where is your brother?' Who is responsible for this blood?… Who is responsible for the blood of these brothers and sisters of ours? Nobody! That is our answer: It isn't me; I don't have anything to do with it; it must be someone else, but certainly not me. Yet God is asking each of us: ‘Where is the blood of your brother which cries out to me?’ Today no one in our world feels responsible; we have lost a sense of responsibility for our brothers and sisters. We have fallen into the hypocrisy of the priest and the levite whom Jesus described in the parable of the Good Samaritan: we see our brother half dead on the side of the road, and perhaps we say to ourselves: ‘poor soul ...!’, and then go on our way. It's not our responsibility, and with that we feel reassured, assuaged. The culture of comfort, which makes us think only of ourselves, makes us insensitive to the cries of other people, makes us live in soap bubbles which, however lovely, are insubstantial; they offer a fleeting and empty illusion which results in indifference to others; indeed, it even leads to the globalization of indifference. In this globalized world, we have fallen into globalized indifference. We have become used to the suffering of others: it doesn't affect me; it doesn't concern me; it's none of my business!”[8]

Slum Children in SAC

empowering slum children

As future missionaries, one needs to experience existential reality. SAC is very much involved among various slums in their education, sanitation and their struggle against poverty. Once in a year, the slum children are collected and brought to the Seminary and a mega cultural event called, “Day of Marginalized People” is celebrated in which they are offered talks on current issues by competent people, cultural programme and entertainment and above all a sumptuous meal.

Further, many brothers visit jail and help the prisoners in conscientizing them for a better life. Seminarians also visit hospitals and asylums. Besides they do ministries among youth and children in making them future leaders; they are also motivated to become priests and religious.

Bearing Witness for the Kingdom

“Unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest” (Jn. 12:24). Christ, the first missionary, died on the cross and bore supreme fruit for the Father. Following his example, his disciples too underwent the same fate. To be a martyr is a supreme way of giving witness to the Gospel.  Following this, the priests who formed in this seminary too have given their witness to the Supreme Truth. Martyrs of Karaundabera, Fr. Lawrence Kujur, Fr. Joseph Dung Dung, Br. Amar Anil Indwar in the diocese of Gumla,[9] Fr. Ignatius Bara in the diocese of Simdega who is a well-known musician in the Jharkhand region, Fr. James Kottayil of the Archdiocese of Ranchi in 1960’s, and many more such daring missionaries in remote villages of Chotanagpur are fresh memories to thousands of faithful even today.

Martyrs of Karaundabera being remembered

Many priests in the parishes are selflessly working to realize the Kingdom of God: spiritually by means of various religious devotions, retreats and evangelical works; socially by means of gatherings, development and conscientizing activities like youth camps, Self-Help Groups etc.; promote education by means of formal and non-formal way schools, colleges, and vocational trainings; and promote health-care by means of establishing dispensaries, hospitals and other nursing schools. Many priests are living a holy life and thus give witness to Christ by their very life, word and deed.

Conclusion

Priesthood is a challenging task, so is the formation of the seminarians. Therefore, every aspect of the life in the seminary has to be consideredprudently. Globalization, consumerist attitude, post-modern tendencies and growing fashioniestas, etc., challenge the formation of seminarians. Seminarians need to go along with the times, but at the same time need to keep up the pulse of the Church. On the one hand they have Kingdom ideal to follow and on the other hand wrong conceptions of power and position of the earthly kingdom cause enormous harm in their growth. Instead of choosing the suffering Christ as their role model, they often chose wrong model of church, such as, priests as builders of buildings and structures, Christ as Royal Messiah with power and position, ‘Martha complexity’ of being busy in folly-issues etc.[10]We need to head to the exhortation of St. Peter: “like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house” (1 Pet. 2:5).

Kingdom of God is an ideal to be achieved. It is already present amidst us, but not yet fully realized. It is actualized in and through our words and deeds. Various clauses expressed in the mission statement in fact lead us to the realization of Kingdom of God. SAC is achieving this. However, there would be failures, but they are stepping stones of our success. After realizing our failures, we try to overcome them and make the world better.  Thus, the SAC formation enables the student to be genuine disciples of Jesus, who constantly listen to God’s Word and proclaim it to others fearlessly, who are trustworthy stewards and servant leaders to build and nourish the faith communities with the sacraments, God’s Word and a personal life-witness, who are socially awakened and can stand up for human dignity and right, and who are able to transcend all boundaries of caste, creed and race to form human communities.

Fr. Raju Felix Crasta
St. Albert's College, Ranchi

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[1]Ad Gentes Divinitus, no. 5.

[2]Ad Gentes Divinitus, no. 1.

[3]Optatam Totius, no. 2.

[4]OptatamTotius, 8.

[5]Cf., Jos De Cuyper S.J., St. Albert’s College 1957-2007: A Brief Overview (Ranchi: St. Albert’s College, 2007), 14.

[6] Cf., Jos De Cuyper S.J., St. Albert’s College 1957-2007: A Brief Overview.

[7] Redemptoris Missio, no. 60.

[8] Cf. Frank Brennan, “What Pope Francis means for the Church in the modern world,” in ABC RELIGION AND ETHICS, uploaded on 13 NOV 2013, accessed from http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2013/11 /13/3890038.html, accessed on 18 November 2013 2013, Internet.

[9] For some details on the martyrdom and other details see, http://stalbertscollegeranchi.blogspot.in/2013/09/ martyrs-of-karaundabera-remembered.html, accessed on 18 November 2013.

[10] cf., Prince Franklin, “Wrong Theological Emphasis: Cause for Crisis in Priestly Ministry,” Darpan (2009), 37-38.