The formation of indian seminarians

The research focuses on Mgr. Louis Mathias SDB, the French Salesian missionary, highlighting his significant contribution to promoting an Indian clergy through the establishment of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Poonamallee, Chennai. The historical importance of this research, covering the period from 1935 to 1965, becomes clear when viewed within the broader post-World War II and post-colonial context, which led to the independence of numerous Afro-Asian countries and a subsequent call for indigenization at all levels, including ecclesiastical. Within this historical framework, Mgr. Mathias’s visionary initiative to found and nurture the Sacred Heart Seminary is particularly noteworthy, as it aimed to secure apostolic workers for the dioceses of South India during challenging times. This endeavor adds undeniable historical relevance to the research. Furthermore, the government restrictions on the entry of foreign missionaries into India would have severely impacted the Church, had there not been a cadre of locally trained Indian priests ready to step in. In addition to its historical significance, the academic credibility of this work is bolstered by extensive research conducted across a significant number of historical archives (31) and libraries (15), both in India and abroad