Emergence of a Dream

     Suvidya College is the materialization of a long-cherished dream that has a history of more than a century. The need to impart a proper religious formation that is fully Fransalian and at the same time Indian, keeping in mind the vision of our founder, Fr. Peter Mermier, and the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, was felt right from the time the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales came to India. This was one of the reasons for the emergence of what is popularly known as the ‘mobile seminaries’ in the second half of the 19th century, when the seminarians were moving around with ‘wise and good’ missionaries for further instructions in theology that was concrete, practical and Fransalian, and for acquiring themselves with the culture and situation of the place.

     Such an effort took a more firm and concreter shape with the establishment of a major seminary in Gopalpur in Orissa in 1890 and was later transferred to the Cathedral in Visakh in 1898. But it had to be closed down for various reasons – was in Europe being one of them. Then in 1898, St. Charles Seminary Nagpur was started by the MSFS, but had to be entrusted with the Irish Dominicans in 1959. Still the effort was not given up. In 1967, Fatimagiri, a MSFS Philosophate was started in Nilambur. But that Institute too had to be closed down in 1971. These were in a sense, setbacks, but can never be termed as failures because they were caused by a number of historical reasons. Besides, the shortage of personnel to man such Institutions, we always wanted to keep up our missionary commitment without any compromise. Thus the establishment of Suvidya College in 1984 is to be seen and understood as the culmination of a long cherished dream.

A Humble Beginning

Aims and Objectives

     The establishment of Suvidya College was based on the articles 82-88 of the constitution of the MSFS Congregation. It has the aim of initiating the students into a genuine intellectual culture together with a pastoral and religious commitment that is fully Indian, ecclesiastical and Fransalian.

The programme was formulated in such a way as to encourage students to develop a holistic approach to reality and personal growth through a meaningful community life. This was found necessary because we were finding ourselves more and more in situation where a Priest was being constantly challenged to find explanation for practically everything, challenged even to justify the meaningfulness of his own very existence and activities as a Priest. Therefore he needs to develop for himself a sharp intelligence, solid convictions and a sound philosophy of life. And it was realized that serious training in philosophy is one of the sure and best means to initiate them in the path towards the achievement of these.
 

Suvidya from 1984 to 1987

     With the minimum of staff members and a small batch of students, Suvidya had a very modest beginning. However, it was a very enthusiastic group keenly interested in giving the institution a solid foundation. The service of several visiting professors and lectures, both MSFS and non-MSFS were sought to provide a three-year programme of philosophical and pastoral formation. Meanwhile the students were enrolled in a secular university for the pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Arts. The academic year was divided into three terms of which the first two were entirely devoted to philosophy and the last for the secular studies. In the following academic year, 1985, Fr. Mathew Manayathumari, joined the staff as the Procurator. The need for more resident staff members was felt. As the number of students increased, the extension of the building was necessary.

     On 19th May 1985, Bishop Joseph Rosario MSFS laid the foundation stone for the extension wing single rooms for students and a few guest rooms were prepared by Engineer and architect, the late Mr. Sowraj. On 22nd Nov. 1986, the new building was blessed by Superior General Emile Mayoraz and inaugurated by Provincial Fr. Midathada Mariadas, who contributed much to the growth of the College. Fr. Mathew Kozhuppakalam, who returned after his doctoral studies and mission experience was asked by the Provincial Council to join the staff on 1st June 1986. As Fr. Mathew Manayathumari, the Procurator, was transferred to Penugonda Mission, Bro. Mathew Kuzhuppally MSFS (1986) of happy memory joined the staff as Procurator of Suvidya College on 22nd August 1986. The first formators, Frs. Thomas Cherukat and Jacob Parapally gave themselves fully for the cause of the institution. Suvidya will always look back with gratitude to them for their selfless service, indomitable spirit and the astute vision.

The need for a theologate was strongly felt and various suggestions were put forward in the formator’s meeting in 1986-87 especially in the meeting with the General in Nov. 1986. If a decision was taken on one of such proposals the history of Suvidya College from 1988 would have been different. The proposal was to shift the philosophate to Nidadavole and to make Suvidya College a theologate for the Fransalians from June 1988. However, a team of formators who gathered on 26th and 27th July 1987 at Ettumanoor appealed to the Provincial administration to reflect further over this proposal and requested it to stabilize the already existing philosophate, which then demanded a lot of attention. All the same, the suggestion to start the theologate was not ruled out, but only postponed for a few years.
 

The Making of the Suvidya College

Suvidya, A Common Venture of Indian Provinces

     On 3rd July 1991, the erstwhile Province of Visakhapatnam was bifurcated and a new Province, South-West was erected. It is an important event not only for the growth of the Congregation in India but also for the future development of Suvidya College. For the status of the institution remained undecided. But the uncertainty contained in itself the hope for the Congregation to rise above all provincialisms. It presented itself as a challenge and historical opportunity to the provinces to venture into the common endeavour which hitherto remained desirable but un-scaled. In its short existence Suvidya has established its place in the mission of the Congregation which is seen in the fact that the Provinces of South-West, Visakhapatnam and North-East would come together at a later date to make it a common venture and offered themselves to ensure the continuation of the mission of Suvidya. On 27th Aug. 1993, Balan installed the Mosaic on the wall facing the people in the main chapel. Fr. Jose Maliekal left for Ettumanoor to be the Rector of SFS Seminary on 31st October 1991.

    On 24th January, 1992, Fr. Emile Mayoraz, the Superior General decreed that the Suvidya College is the formation house for Philosophy students of the whole congregation especially of the Indian Provinces. An expert committee was constituted to study the modalities and to formulate the statutes in order to facilitate the administration of the College. The committee went into action immediately; it conducted a survey, which covered all the members of the North-East, South-West and Vizag Provinces together with a few selected members of the M.G. Province. The response of the confreres was very encouraging and they gave a whole-hearted support to such a venture. Based on the finding of the survey the expert committee prepared the first draft and forwarded it to the Provincials in June, 1993. The Indian Provincials discussed the draft and made a few modifications and forwarded it to the Superior General for his approval. It came back with his suggestion for further consideration to the Indian Provincials who promptly worked on it to make a viable document so that it will serve as a guiding principle for the efficient working and administration of the College.

    Meanwhile, between March and June a few more transfers came into effect. Fr. Thomas Payattukandam went to Vinayakumar Estate as Procurator succeeded by Fr. Joseph Kuzhuppil, the new Procurator and Fr. George Chirayil joined the Staff. In June 1992, Fr. A. Gabriel left for Hyderabad to be a professor in St. John’s Seminary and Fr. F\George Panthanmackel joined the staff. Fr. Abraham Mullenkuzhy, who was a regular visiting professor of the Institute from its inception and a resident professor from 1990 went to Thamarassery to be the Rector of the NE Minor Seminary, together with his responsibility as a member of the General Council, of the Congregation of the MSFS. In 1993, June Fr. Thottiyil was transferred to Vinayalaya as the Rector. Fr. George Panthanmackel, the first Doctor of Philosophy, prepared for this Institute, took over as the Dean. It is significant because, with this the Institute entered into the final stage of maintaining an efficient academic staff. In January, 1993 Fr. Thomas Kalary left for Germany to do his doctoral studies in Philosophy. In June 1993, Fr. George Chirayil was transferred to SFS School Hebbagodi to be the Principal. And Fr. Jolly Chakkalakkal joined the Staff in July 1993 and was appointed as the Co-coordinator of the University studies.

    Meanwhile Suvidya College opened its doors to the Philosophy students of other Congregations. In June 1992, two OSFS Seminarians started their studies in the Institute taking their residence in the college, together with them Frs. George Dinauer and Vincent Smith, two OSFS Fathers. In Jan 1994, they shifted to Chandapura, their formation house and continue to send the students. Also this year a few more Congregations send their seminarians to the Institute; they are the Missionaries of Africa, Passionists, Marianists and the students of the diocese of Batticolao, Trinconamale, Sri Lanka. In June 1993, Fr. O.V. Zacharias was appointed on the Staff for teaching and spiritual direction; as he is also the superior of the farm community, he took his residence there.

    On 16th April 1994, the Governing Body for Suvidya, though it awaited its official approval from the Superior General, met in Suvidya to discuss its status, the efficient running of the institute, and the implementation of the statutes, prepared by the expert committee.

Growing beyond the MSFS Fold

     Besides catering to the needs of the various MSFS Provinces in India and abroad for which it is primarily meant, the College receives students from several other religious congregations, some of which have opened their Study Houses in the neighbourhood of Suvidya College. With the aim of initiating the students into a genuine intellectual culture through a sound philosophical formation, Suvidya College draws out its curriculum.

Suvidya, Gone International

     The Congregation for Catholic Education, through its letter dated 24th January, 1996, with the Decree No. 1435/95/4 granted Suvidya College the Affiliation to the Faculty of Philosophy of Pontifical University of Urbaniana, Rome

America Calling

     In new venture of international collaboration, the De Sales Institute of Philosophy and Religion (DIPR) has signed a Memmorandum of Understanding (MoU) with De Sales University, Allentown, USA. The MoU is signed between Dr. Bernard O" Connor, the President of De Sales University, USA and Dr. Mathew Kozhuppakalam msfs, The Provincial of the South West Province of the MSFS as well as the Chairman of the De Sales Institute of Philosophy and Religion. Suvidya whichi is a member of the DIPR has affiliated itself with De Sales University and obtains the degree of the De Sales University to its students.