SFS Iinstitute, Bastora

In January 1940, Fr. S. Fagiano, commissioned by the Regional Superior, Fr. Larrivaz, obtained the permission from the Patriarch of Goa, Dom Theotonio, to begin a Juvenate at Bastora. The land was gifted through Fr. Olivet Vas, a young priest of Ucassaim working in Nagpur diocese, by Mr. Antonio Jose.

Fr. Anton Gabriel Lobo, in the early months of 1940, was responsible to prepare the unlevel ground for the building of the SFS Institute. The foundation stone was laid on August 24, 1940. After most of the work was completed, the Chapel was blessed on 29 January 1943.

SFS School opened with the Primary classes in 1943 and gradually became a High School. Fr. A.G. Lobo was the Director and Principal of the School for the first year. In 1945, Fr. Assisi Vaz was appointed the Principal.

The Juvenate moved to Santarxett, Aldona, in June 1955. However the aspirants were few and Fr. Assisi Vaz became more involved with St. Thomas School. Fr. Moget requested the Regional Superior and the Superior General for personnel assistance. Two young priests, Fr. Olivier Moix and Fr. Gerard Gill arrived on a Portugese ship in November 1958. At their request a larger house near St. Thomas School, called the Costa House was purchased from Mrs. Soares in May 1959 and the Juvenate functioned there from June 1959.

Fr. Moix and Fr. Gill returned to Europe in August 1964 and Fr. Moget was appointed the Superior of the MSFS Community at Aldona, with Fr. Lobo continuing as Manager and Fr. Vincent Fernandes as the Principal of St. Thomas Boys' School.

In 1970 Fr. Moget was transferred to Bastora as Superior and SFS Institute gradually became the main house for the students aspiring to join the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, Maharashtra-Goa Province. The juvenate at Aldona soon came to be known as a hostel for school boys. The present team includes Fr. JAMES MASCARENHAS MSFS, FR. ANTHONY FERNANDES, Fr. LOURDU SWAMY MSF & FR. PHILIP THOTTOM MSFS

Fransalian Ashram, Belgaum

Jyoti Darshan, Salem

The bifurcation the Maharashtra-Goa Province necessitated the division of formation houses. From then on Jyoti Darshan in Salem and SFS Institute in Bastora were to belong to the Pune Province. Fr. A. Arulanandam was appointed to initiate the project of this minor seminary. In 1998 the first batch of students were enrolled to prepare to join the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. Fr. I. Alphonse was appointed the first Rector. From then on students have been preparing to join the novitiate. Studies in languages and religious living received importance besides manual work and games. That the students may be given experience in pastoral work, a request was made to the Bishop of Salem for a Parish. The new parish of Our Lady of Good Health, carved out from a larger one parish was entrusted to the Fransalians. Fr. Alphonse was also appointed the Parish Priest.

The present Fransalian team consists of FR. AMAL AROCKIASAMY MSFS Rector, FR. PRINCE AROCKIARAJ MSFS, Parish Priest, FR. SAMUEL DEVARAJ MSFS AS assistant priest.

Fransalian Seminary, Pune

In 1951 Fr. Damian Fernandes, the then Regional Superior of the Goa-Maharashtra Region, decided to start 'Fransalianum', a Seminary for the MSFS Scholastics. This idea seemed promising especially because of the transferrig of the Kandy Papal Seminary was to be transferred to Pune. In 1952, he bought a plot of two acres adjoining the grounds of De Nobile College and the Carmel house. In 1953 work began with the plans prepared by bro. Harold D'Silva and Fr. Gabriel Lobo along with 4 Scholastics- Vincent Fernandes, Micky Dalgado, Joseph Kaurppan and Leo Gurusamy.

The First Rector

Fr. Francis Moget was appointed as the first Rector of Fransalianum while he was in Europe for the General Chapter. On his return from France he found a half-completed house to welcome him. The new Rector and the Scholastics worked hard to complete the building. In June 1954 the Fransalian Seminary began its existence, with 4 Theologians from Vizag, 1 Theologian and 6 Philosophers from Nagpur.

Further Developments

However the need from more accommodation was soon felt. Fr. Moget made plans for the north wing and the servants' quarters. Quite often, on Saturdays, to pay the workers Fr. Moget would cycle to town to collect a loan from his friends. Being aware of the situation, the Scholastics on their part reduced the burden by participating in the construction work especially during laying of slabs of concrete. Amidst various difficulties the work progressed slowly and steadily. By the end of 1954 Fr. Francis Moget completed the work. Soon Fransalianum came to be recognized by the other Religious Orders as a hospitable open house for guests. The OIC, SVD, OSS, O. Prem, the Capuchin scholastics and Sisters belonging to various Congregations stayed here while studying at Papal Athenaeum.

Fransalianum has always been known as a 'House of Formation and a Home for Inspiration'. The Seminary prides itself upon its alumni/ae ministering in all the nine provinces of the Congregation in India and abroad. The house has formed not mere religious but great leaders - Bishops and Provincials pasturing the flock in different corners of the world and at the service of the Church. Fr. DAIY SEBASTIAN is the present Rector who is assisted by Fr. RAJKISHORE KINDO as the minister.