Mount Carmel Petit Seminary

About Mount Carmel Petit Seminary

Commemorating the Fourth Centenary of the Erection of the Diocese of Cochin, the foundation stone was laid for the new Minor Seminary on 28th December 1957. On 11th February 1960, the new building for the Mount Carmel Petit Seminary was blessed by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Edezhath, the first native Bishop of Cochin.

In over five decades of service (1960–2010), 566 candidates joined Mount Carmel Petit Seminary for priestly formation, of which 130 became priests, 349 discontinued during the formation period, and 87 were on formation at different levels.

Our Patron — Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The seminary is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, under whose patronage the seminarians are formed and guided in their vocation to the priesthood.

Motto

"Becoming Christ"

Our Mission

Mount Carmel Petit Seminary is a house designated to prepare academically and spiritually the students who are open to the action of the Holy Spirit, and to foster in them the seed of divine vocation to be missionary and servant disciples of Jesus Christ, to build up a just, humane and free society.

Our Vision

Mount Carmel Petit Seminary aims at the formation of seminarians to discern the vocation to which God has called them, to root them in the Word of God and in the Sacred Tradition, to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ for the Diocese, for the Universal Church and for the multi-religious and cultural context of India by integrating the dimensions of formation.

Seminarians for the Diocese of Cochin

35 Major Seminarians · 23 Minor Seminarians

The Four Pillars of Priestly Formation

1. Human Formation

The seminary fosters the holistic human development of each seminarian, nurturing emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, and a balanced personality grounded in Christian virtues.

2. Spiritual Formation

Daily prayers, meditation, Bible reading, Rosary, spiritual direction, regular confession, monthly recollection and annual retreats are integral to the spiritual development of seminarians. Dedicated Spiritual Directors animate the seminarians in their spiritual life through personal and common spiritual conferences.

3. Intellectual Formation

Seminarians receive rigorous academic training to equip them for their future ministry. Literary meetings, quiz competitions, essay writing, and seminars on current and relevant subjects by experts form part of the intellectual formation.

4. Pastoral Formation

Practical pastoral experiences help seminarians grow as shepherd-leaders. They engage in parish activities, catechesis, hospital visits, and social outreach, preparing them to serve the faithful with compassion and dedication.

Three Levels of Minor Seminary Formation

The Minor Seminary Formation in the Diocese of Cochin is conducted in three levels across multiple houses:

Formation at Mount Carmel Petit Seminary, Fort Kochi

The one-year Initiation Course is the first step for candidates selected after an interview in the presence of the Local Ordinary. Students are admitted after SSLC or Plus Two. The curriculum includes English Grammar, Phonetics, Latin language, Spirituality & Religion, Introduction to Bible, Church History, Methodology and Personality Development. Special attention is given to discipline, language study, and spiritual exercises

After the Initiation Course, seminarians are transferred to St. Xavier's Seminary, Kumbalam for Plus Two courses (two years). Residing at the seminary, they attend different Higher Secondary Schools of the Diocese. Students are allowed to choose subjects of their interest.

The three-year Degree Course is the final level of minor seminary formation. Seminarians reside at Mount Carmel Petit Seminary, Fort Kochi and attend secular mixed colleges for classes. The atmosphere of studying together with students of different gender, caste and religion helps the seminarians to grow in maturity and broaden their outlook.

Address: Mount Carmel Petit Seminary, PB. No. 11, Fort Kochi, Kochi 682 001. Ph: 215400, 215401, 215403, 216002

Daily Life in the Seminary

Every day the seminarians follow a structured schedule that includes study, prayer, meditation, Holy Mass, examination of conscience at noon and night, Rosary, Bible reading, spiritual reading, sports, and gardening. Monthly recollection is arranged every second Saturday, and every year the seminarians participate in a five-day retreat.

Three Spiritual Directors guide the seminarians, who meet their directors at least twice a month. Every Sunday a literary meeting is conducted with speeches and cultural programmes. Seminars, symposiums, arts, sports and literary competitions are organized throughout the year to develop the integral personality of the seminarians.

Contribution to the Catholic Church

The seminary has made significant contributions to the Catholic Church:

• Three Catholic Bishops — ordained from among the alumni of this seminary

• 200+ Diocesan Priests — serving the Diocese and beyond

• 20+ Religious Priests — serving in various religious congregations

Rectors' Chronology

The following priests have served as Rectors of Mount Carmel Petit Seminary since its founding:

1. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis Figueiredo (1953)

2. Rev. Fr. George Palakal (1959)

3. Rev. Fr. Jacob Mavunkal (1963)

4. Rev. Fr. Joseph Kureethara (1968)

5. Rev. Fr. Paul Punnakattussery (1976)

6. Rev. Fr. Francis M. J. Fernandez (1983)

7. Rev. Fr. Mark Antony Puthenparambil (1983)

8. Rev. Fr. Antony Thachara (1989)

9. Rev. Fr. Josy Kandanattuthara (1989)

10. Rev. Fr. Augustine Nellikaveli (1996)

11. Rev. Fr. Peter Chadayangad (2001)

12. Rev. Fr. Thomas Panackal (2002)

13. Rev. Fr. Joy Njarakattuvely (2008)

14. Rev. Fr. Martin Mattammel (2008)

15. Rev. Fr. Antony Pulickal (2011–2013)

16. Rev. Fr. Joy Njarakkattuvely (2013–2018)

17. Rev. Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil (2018–2021)

18. Rev. Dr. Santhosh Veluthedath (2021–2026 )

19. Rev. Fr. Antony Thaiveetil (2026 - Present )

Contact Information

Mount Carmel Petit Seminary
Bishop's House, Bishop Joseph Kureethara Road
Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala – 682 001
Phone: +91 99612 08555
Landline: 0484 – 215400, 215401, 215403, 216002
Email: mcpsfortcochin@gmail.com

Content sourced from the official MCPS website: mcpsfortcochin.wordpress.com