Priestly Formation
Support the Formation of Future Salesian Priest in the Bangalore Province
The Salesian Province of Bangalore is dedicated to forming young men who will commit their lives to serving the youth, especially the poor and marginalized, across Karnataka, Kerala and the whole world. Your support ensures they receive the necessary holistic formation—spiritual, academic, and human—to become effective, compassionate leaders in the spirit of Don Bosco.
The Journey of a Salesian
Becoming a Salesian priest is a transformative, multi-year journey. Below are the stages of this formation, where each phase is designed to root the candidate deeply in the Salesian charism.
Our Formation Roadmap
- Candidacy (1–3 Years): The focus is on initial discernment and immersion in the Salesian rhythm of life. Candidates reside at Don Bosco Bhavan Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala and Don Bosco Mysore, Karnataka to experience prayer, study, and apostolic life firsthand.
- Pre-Novitiate (1 Year): The focus is on self-awareness, personal maturity, and human growth. This stage is typically held at Don Bosco Mysore, Karnataka.
- Novitiate (1 Year): This is the heart of formation, focusing on deep spiritual discernment, immersion in the Salesian Constitutions, and the foundation of the religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. This stage takes place at Don Bosco, Padivayal, Kerala.
- Post-Novitiate (2 Years): The focus shifts to intellectual maturation, with studies in philosophy, sociology, and pedagogy, the candidates are given opportunity to be at different philosophates in the country.
- Practical Training (2 Years): A "real-world" experience where the Salesian engages in active youth ministry (such as schools, technical training centers, or parishes) using Don Bosco’s Preventive System. This occurs across various missions in Karnataka and Kerala.
- Theological Studies (4 Years): The final academic phase focusing on specialized theology, Scripture, and pastoral ministry, preparing the Salesian for sacramental duties. This is completed at Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore.
Sponsorship of a seminarian is more than a gift—it’s a powerful bond of mutual prayer. By supporting a seminarian, you invite constant prayer into your family’s life, and a future Priest who will intercede and offer Holy Mass for your intentions.
How You Can Make an Impact
1. Contribute to the General Formation Fund
Your contribution to the General Formation Fund directly sustains our mission by covering:
- Maintenance and operational costs of our formation houses.
- Ongoing training and development for our formators.
- The day-to-day activities and essential needs of our seminarians throughout their journey.
2. Sponsoring a Seminarian
Become a personal partner in a specific seminarian’s journey. By sponsoring a candidate for one or more years of their formation, you provide the support they need to flourish as a future Salesian.
- How it works: Please contact us with your interest. We will reach out to you personally to provide the details of the specific seminarian you are supporting, allowing you to walk with him through his journey of discernment and growth.
