Centenary of Papal Seminary, Pune
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | Centenary Series |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | December 16, 1993 |
| Denomination | Rs. 6 |
| Quantity | 1,000,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13½ x 13 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1408 Stamp Number IN 1465 Yvert et Tellier IN 1206 Stanley Gibbons IN 1558 |
| Themes | Buildings | Coats of Arms | Religion |
Table of Contents
Centenary of the Papal Seminary, Pune
Historical Background:
- Establishment: The Papal Seminary was founded in 1893 by Pope Leo XIII with the vision of training indigenous priests in India.
- Location: Initially opened in Kandy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), the seminary moved to Pune, India, in 1955.
Institutional Significance:
- All-India Reach: The Papal Seminary caters to students from various parts of India, embracing diverse cultures and languages.
- Pontifical Athenaeum: Now known as “Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth,” this institution has trained approximately 5,560 priests and religious individuals over its long history. It opened its doors to men and women of different faiths in 1968.
Notable Contributions:
- Church Leadership: The seminary has produced India’s first two Indian Cardinals and about 65 Bishops or Church leaders.
- Jesuit Order: The seminary is run by the Jesuits, renowned globally for their educational institutions.
Educational Programs:
- Comprehensive Training: The seminary’s program includes spiritual, intellectual, and cultural training.
- Academic Courses: Courses range from undergraduate to doctorate levels in Philosophy and Theology. The syllabus includes a variety of Indian subjects such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-gita, Vedanta, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Modern Hinduism, and Modern Indian Thought.
- Focus Areas: Emphasis is placed on Indian spirituality, inter-religious dialogue, integration, and social involvement.
Centenary Celebration:
- Significance: The centenary marks a significant event for both the Church and India, recognizing the seminary’s impact on the upliftment, education, and progress of the country.
- Outreach: Over the years, students have reached out to various Indian states, working towards justice, upliftment of the poor, peace, dialogue, and national integration.
Centenary Theme:
- Mandala Design: The theme, “Sarva-jiva-sukham: sarva-dharma sakhyam” (the happiness of all living beings and friendship among all religions), is depicted in the form of a mandala design on the First-Day Cover issued to commemorate the event.
Commemorative Stamp:
- Issuance: The Department of Posts has a tradition of issuing commemorative stamps to mark the centenary of significant institutions. This tradition continues with the issuance of a stamp for the centenary of the Papal Seminary, Pune.
Design Credits:
- Stamp: Created by India Security Press based on materials supplied by the sponsor.
- First-Day Cover (FDC): Designed by the Papal Seminary, Pune.
- Cancellation: Designed by Mrs. Alka Sharma, Artist, Department of Posts.
The centenary of the Papal Seminary, Pune, celebrates its long-standing contribution to the training of religious leaders, fostering inter-religious dialogue, and promoting social justice and integration in India.