Rector’s Message

It gives me great joy to welcome and introduce you to SFS Seminary, the house of Formation and nursery of vocation to Priesthood and religious life. SFS Seminary is the minor seminary of the South-West India Province which was has its origin in 1967. The Seminary was shifted from Arumanoor to Ettumanoor in 1967 by its first Rector Rev. Fr. George Vayalil MSFS , who has also been the first one to go the Missions from Kerala. SFS Seminary has given birth to hundreds of religious Priests who are working today in different parts of the world. The Seminary was privileged to celebrate its Golden Jubilee in 2017.

The Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales ( MSFS) was founded in Annecy, France on 24^th October 1838 by Fr. Peter Mary Mermier. The first group of Missionaries landed in Pondicherry on 8^th September 1845. Today the MSFS Fathers are engaged in missionary, educational,  social and preaching ministries in 31 countries , spreading over 11 Provinces. We follow the Spirituality of our Patron St. Francis de Sales and the Missionary Zeal of our Founder Servant of God Fr. Peter Mary Mermier. The Candidates to Priesthood are called to strive after excellence and holiness. We aim at imparting a holistic Formation which caters to the physical and psychological well- being, intellectual growth and spiritual , social and community living. The Formation imparted at SFS Seminary is aimed at  developing ‘ a complete man’ wholly dedicated to loving God and serving the Church after the example of our Patron St. Francis de Sales who is known as ‘ The Gentleman Saint’ and our Founder, Fr. Peter Mary Mermier who said, “ True education is opening the heart rather than the mind.”

I welcome all those who listen to the call of God by entering the Seminary and pursue their vocation in this house of Formation. May the good Lord help us to respond to his call and to become holy and zealous priests which is the need of today.

Fr. George Chirayil MSFS

Rector