St. Mary's Minor Seminary, Lahore
Encyclopedia
St. Mary's Minor Seminary, Lahore, is the preparatory seminary in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore
. It is the first minor seminary in the country, started by Belgian Capuchin Bishop Marcel Roger Buyse of Lahore in 1951. St. Mary's is now serving Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi dioceses, as well as the Capuchins and Franciscans.
From September 1992, St. Mary's Seminary has been training seminarians from two other dioceses – the Karachi archdiocese and Hyderabad diocese. The physical facilities have also been expanded with two new classrooms on the first floor of the seminary and the new extension hall, named after St. John Vianney, patron saint of diocesan clergy. In 1992 the seminary has 98 students.
Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad has been one of its rectors.
Fr. Inayat Bernard
was appointed rector of the diocese's St. Mary's Minor Seminary in 1988.
Father Zacharia Ghouri was rector of the Seminary in 2007.
Since 1977, the seminary has also been home to the WAVE Studio
, that produces audio cassettes and DVDs with performances of Church music.
At St. Mary's Seminary, seminarians are encouraged to take an interest in human development and social issues. The seminarians held a Labor Day program on May 1, 2003 to highlight the importance of laborers.
A Vocation Day was held at the seminary on June 14, 2010. Around 110 Catholic youngsters from several parishes attended the program that included a Mass by Auxiliary Bishop Sebastian Francis Shah
of Lahore. In 2010 there are 48 minor seminarians at St. Mary’s, along with 48 others studying philosophy at St. Francis Xavier Seminary
in Lahore.
The seminary receives financial assistance form the German Catholic agency Kirche in Not
.
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore is an archdiocese in Punjab, Pakistan.-History:It was founded as a diocese on 1 September 1886, having previously been the Vicariate of Punjab. On 23 April 1994 the diocese was elevated to the rank of Archdiocese. Fr...
. It is the first minor seminary in the country, started by Belgian Capuchin Bishop Marcel Roger Buyse of Lahore in 1951. St. Mary's is now serving Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi dioceses, as well as the Capuchins and Franciscans.
From September 1992, St. Mary's Seminary has been training seminarians from two other dioceses – the Karachi archdiocese and Hyderabad diocese. The physical facilities have also been expanded with two new classrooms on the first floor of the seminary and the new extension hall, named after St. John Vianney, patron saint of diocesan clergy. In 1992 the seminary has 98 students.
Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad has been one of its rectors.
Fr. Inayat Bernard
Inayat Bernard
Fr Inayat Bernard is the parish priest of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Kasur, 55 kilometres south of Lahore, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore.Father Bernard, ordained a priest for Lahore diocese in 1980, graduated from the Punjab University...
was appointed rector of the diocese's St. Mary's Minor Seminary in 1988.
Father Zacharia Ghouri was rector of the Seminary in 2007.
Since 1977, the seminary has also been home to the WAVE Studio
WAVE Studio
The Pakistan Catholic bishops' national audiovisual center WAVE has worked effectively for social harmony and professionalism during its 25 years.Jesuit Father Jean Desautels started WAVE in June 1977 on the premises of St...
, that produces audio cassettes and DVDs with performances of Church music.
At St. Mary's Seminary, seminarians are encouraged to take an interest in human development and social issues. The seminarians held a Labor Day program on May 1, 2003 to highlight the importance of laborers.
A Vocation Day was held at the seminary on June 14, 2010. Around 110 Catholic youngsters from several parishes attended the program that included a Mass by Auxiliary Bishop Sebastian Francis Shah
Sebastian Francis Shah
Sebastian Francis Shah was born in Padri-Jo-Goth, Pakistan on 14 November 1957. He received his early education at Fatima High School and attended the Government Degree College. He received his religious training under the Order of Friars Minor and at the Christ the King seminary in Karachi and...
of Lahore. In 2010 there are 48 minor seminarians at St. Mary’s, along with 48 others studying philosophy at St. Francis Xavier Seminary
St. Francis Xavier Seminary
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...
in Lahore.
The seminary receives financial assistance form the German Catholic agency Kirche in Not
Aid to the Church in Need
' describes itself as "an international pastoral aid organization of the Catholic Church, which yearly offers financial support to more than 5,000 projects worldwide...
.