Seminar at Darshan Institute of Theology
January 19th, 2024 became a very special day for Darshan Institute of
Theology, as it organized a Seminar on Family Apostolate along with the
auspicious event of releasing of the approved Statutes of Darshan Institute
of Theology and the Canonical Declaration of it as the Institute of Higher
Studies, affiliated to St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute by The Dicastery for
Culture and Education in Rome’. The theme of the Seminar was titled as
‘Opportunities and Challenges of Accompanying the Christian Families in the
Teachings of Pope Francis’. The seminar was animated by Rev. Fr. Sunny
Richard John, the secretary of Archdiocesan Family Commission, Bangalore.
The Institute enjoyed the esteemed presence of Rev. Fr. Dr. John Alwyn Dias
OFM Cap., Provincial Minister and the Moderator of the Institute. The
seminar was attended by some of the Capuchin Friars of Holy Trinity Province
Karnataka, religious priests, sisters, brothers and seminarians belonging to
CRI, Kengeri zone, who were around 75 in number. Br. Melroy P DSilva
compered the seminar.
The programme of the day began at 9:00 am, with the invocation of God’s
Blessings by the Students of Darshan Institute of Theology, followed by the
welcome address by Fr. Dr. Albert Lewis OFM Cap., the Director of the
Institute. The first session with its title ‘Understanding of Christian
Family: Theological Perspective – Pre-Marriage Preparation’, began at 9:15
am. Followed by the tea break, the Second Session began at 10:45 am with the
title ‘Accompaniment of Christian Families: Pastoral Perspectives
Post-Marital Accompaniment’. The sessions ended with the fruitful
interactive discussion between resource person and the participants. The
Third session was animated by a married couple as the resource persons,
named Mr. Roshan & Mrs. Sandhya Menezes, the administrators of the Carmel
Educational Institute, Bangalore, who shared their concrete family life
experiences. The second and the most awaited part of the program was held at
12:30 pm, Rev. Fr. Dr. John Alwyn Dias OFM Cap., released the approved
statutes of the Institute and read the Decree of the approval, after which
he addressed the gathering with his words of appreciation and encouragement.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Denis Veigas OFM Cap., the Rector of the Institute thanked each
and every one, who was instrumental for the Success of the Seminar. Finally,
by singing the Anthem of the Institute the seminar was concluded. This was
followed by the sumptuous agape meal along with all the participants.
.JPG)