Foundation of the Seminary (1956)

The Minor Seminary of the Diocese of Ootacamund was founded on 12 September 1956 under the title of St. Pius X Minor Seminary. It began with eleven seminarians — five in the first year of Latin studies and six pursuing high school education.

The seminary was initially housed in a small temporary building at Kandal, a suburb of Ootacamund. The first rector was Rev. Fr. Abraham Kuttialampil, a diocesan priest, who served from 12 September 1956 to 1 June 1957.

The First Seminary Building and Its Challenges

The first building had only four rooms and stood about three kilometres from St. Joseph’s High School, attended by six of the seminarians. It was found unsuitable for the proper formation of the students.

An application was made to the Sacred Congregation for funds to acquire a better property, and the Congregation generously granted Rs. 72,000. With this assistance, Woodcock House — a large bungalow with three acres of land — was purchased in the middle of the town, close to St. Joseph’s High School and other Catholic institutions.

On 24 October 1956 the seminary was transferred to Woodcock House. On 2 February 1957 the eleven seminarians were accommodated there, and a large room in the bungalow was converted into a chapel.

Growth and Development under New Leadership

In June 1957, Rev. Fr. Crayssac of the Société des Missions Étrangères de Paris (MEP) succeeded Rev. Fr. Abraham Kuttialampel as rector, and continued to guide the institution in its formative years.

During the academic year 1956–1957, the seminary experienced several developments.

• Although one student left in December 1956, another completed the S.S.L.C. examination at Mysore in February 1957 and joined the seminary, bringing the number back to eleven.
• Towards the end of March 1957, an entrance examination for the major seminary was held. One first-year Latin student passed, securing third rank, and entered St. Peter’s Major Seminary, Bangalore, on 2 July 1957.
• During the summer holidays, several applications were received from candidates seeking admission to the minor seminary. Owing to the limited accommodation, the Bishop of Ootacamund arranged for eight students to enter the minor seminary at Bangalore and one student to join the minor seminary at Coimbatore, where he had already been accepted for a year.
• Meanwhile, plans were being considered for the construction of a more spacious seminary building to accommodate the growing number of students.

Construction of a New Seminary Building (1957–1958)

After a few months at Woodcock House, it became evident that the bungalow was not suited to seminary life. The rooms were inadequate, and transforming the building would have been excessively expensive, if not impossible.

Taking the advice of the Diocesan Council, Msgr. Padiyara decided to construct a new seminary building. Work commenced without delay, and on 17 June 1958 nineteen students were admitted to the newly constructed, comfortable and well-organised building.

It was designed to accommodate approximately thirty-five students — a significant step forward for priestly formation in the Diocese of Ootacamund.

Formation and Daily Life of the Seminarians

From its earliest years the seminary placed great importance on the integral formation of its students — intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social.

The seminarians received daily spiritual conferences and religious instruction, with particular attention to spiritual growth, good manners, politeness, discipline and social virtues. In the early years they faced seasonal illnesses such as influenza, so the authorities provided wholesome food, physical exercise and appropriate attention to health.

Early records describe the seminarians as intelligent, healthy, pious, well-behaved and hardworking — with the hope that, through perseverance, prayer and God’s grace, they would one day become worthy priests of the Most High.

Financial Assistance and the Support of Benefactors

The seminary was made possible through the generosity of benefactors and the support of the Church. The grant of Rs. 72,000 from the Sacred Congregation enabled the purchase of Woodcock House, providing the seminarians with a more suitable place to live and study.

The seminary’s location in Ootacamund, at an altitude of approximately 7,400 feet above sea level, presented particular challenges. The cool climate required the provision of woollen clothing, warm blankets and nutritious food to maintain the health of the students.

According to the annual report for 1956–1957, the maintenance of a seminarian cost approximately 120 dollars per year. This financial burden was one of the reasons why the number of applicants who could be admitted remained limited. The seminary authorities expressed their deep gratitude to the benefactors whose generosity supported the formation of future priests, concluding their appeal with the prayer:

Purpose and Mission of the Seminary

St. Pius X Minor Seminary was established primarily to provide the Diocese of Ootacamund with the diocesan clergy necessary for its pastoral mission. As a diocesan minor seminary, its principal purpose was to identify and nurture priestly vocations, prepare young men spiritually and intellectually, and provide them with the foundation required for further studies in the major seminary.

During its early years, twelve minor seminarians from the institution proceeded to St. Peter’s Major Seminary in Bangalore after completing two or three years of formation. Although no student had yet reached the priesthood at the time of the historical account, these early developments offered hope for the future of the diocese.

The seminary thus became an important institution in the long-term growth of the local Church, preparing candidates to serve the people of God through the diocesan priesthood.

Transfer of the Seminary to Wellington (1981)

The seminary underwent another significant transition when it was transferred to St. Theodore’s Sanatorium at Wellington. This was made possible through an agreement between Most Rev. Dr. Aruldas James, Bishop of Ootacamund, the Regional Superior of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP Fathers), and the Provincial Superior of the Cluny Sisters.

The agreement provided for the use of the ground floor of the sanatorium as a minor seminary for three years from 1 May 1981, with provision for renewal. Staff and students could use the chapel, refectory and other ground-floor rooms, except two rooms adjoining the refectory, and the necessary furniture was made available by mutual agreement.

This arrangement reflects the spirit of cooperation among the Diocese of Ootacamund, the MEP Fathers and the Cluny Sisters, whose willingness to share facilities and responsibilities helped ensure the continuation of priestly formation in the diocese.

The transfer to Wellington in 1981 thus marks another important chapter in the history of St. Pius X Minor Seminary, demonstrating the collaborative efforts of the religious congregations and diocesan leadership in providing a suitable environment for the formation of future priests.