SVD Shishyalaya, Vasai

SVD Shishyalaya

The SVDs had always envisioned a minor seminary in Maharashtra and since there were many vocations from Vasai, the Provincial administration decided to start a seminary in Vasai.  The spade work for this ministry was entrusted to Fr. Callisto Gomes in 1999.  And thus SVD Mission Seminary was started at Sonarbhat, Papdy in a house freely rented out to us by one of our benefactors, Gregory and Sheila Pereira. This house was blessed by His Lordship Bishop Thomas Dabre, and inaugurated by the then Provincial Superior, Fr. Augustine Kanjamala, on 17 th June 2001.  Fr. Callisto Gomes was the pioneer missionary and later on John Mascharenhas and Fr. Ivan Felix D’ Silva joined him in the formation team.

The administration decided to buy a plot and build our own seminary building in a suitable location.  So the land was bought in Giriz and the construction for the new seminary, named SVD Shishyalaya, was started in May 1, 2008 and the building was completed and blessed by Archbishop Felix Machado, the Bishop of Vasai, on March, 3, 2010 and inaugurated by the SVD INM Provincial Superior Fr. Lazar Thanuzraj.  Frs. Callisto Gomes, Ivan D’Silva, Caetano D’Costa and Berly Pallan have been rectors of this formation house.

The Seminary is blessed with vocations from all over Maharashtra, especially Vasai, Uttan, Talasari, Aurangabad, Sirpur, Silvassa and Amaravathi. The first missionary priest, Fr. Francis Mastan, now working in Ghana Africa, was ordained in 2007.

Staff at SVD Shishyalaya, Vasai
Salate Nathan (Rector)
Nickson Louis Gabru
Richard Gomes

Contact
SVD Shishyalaya
Near Giriz Talao, Nardoli Road
New Giziz, P.O Vasai
Dt. Thane, M.S – 401201
Tel: 0250 – 2322845
Email: [email protected]