Formation

1. 01

   St. Joseph's Juniorate

   The history of St. Joseph's Juniorate, Columbuthurai, is closely associated with Fr. Adrian Joseph, OMI, who became its first Rector on 23 January 1970.

   The Juniorate welcomes Tamil-speaking young men from different parts of the country and provides them with education, spiritual formation, and a supportive community environment. After completing their G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, students undertake further English-language studies before proceeding to the next stage of Oblate formation.

   The Juniorate continues to play an important role in fostering and accompanying young vocations to religious and missionary life.

2. 02

   Gnanodhayam: Pre-Novitiate Formation

   Gnanodhayam was established in 2003 as an Oblate Institute for Religious Studies and a Pre-Novitiate Formation Centre, with Fr. P. Emmanuel Jesuthasan, OMI, as its first Director. The Pre-Novitiate programme, normally conducted from February to July, provides candidates with spiritual, human, and intellectual formation as they discern their vocation to Oblate religious life.

   During the rest of the year, Gnanodhayam also provides retreats, renewal programmes, and formation courses for priests and religious. The Eugene Academy, located on the premises, provides educational support to children and contributes to their academic, moral, and spiritual development.

3. 03

   De Mazenod Scholasticate, Jaffna

   A significant development in Oblate formation took place in 1997 with the establishment of the Oblate Scholastic Theologate at Matthew's Memorial Home, Amala Utpavam. Fr. Jeevendra Paul, OMI, served as its first Superior.

   In 2001, the Scholasticate was moved to its present location and named De Mazenod Scholasticate. The present building was solemnly inaugurated on 8 July 2001 by Most Rev. Fr. William Steckling, OMI, the Superior General.

   The establishment and development of the Scholasticate marked an important step in strengthening the theological, spiritual, human, and missionary formation of future Oblates in the Province of Jaffna.

   De Mazenod Scholasticate, where contextual formation is secured, now welcomes scholastics from the Province of Colombo and from other countries, including Vietnam and Zambia, for their philosophical and theological studies. As a Regional Scholasticate, De Mazenod Scholasticate is open to Oblates from different parts of the world, offering them a place for academic, spiritual, pastoral, and community formation.

Source: Pathinathan Sathiyaseelan, OMI, “Present Ministries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Jaffna Province”