A Digital Visit to the Chapel at RCT!

Dear Viewers,

As you enter the campus of Ruhalya College of Theology, it is not difficult to understand that its chapel is the axis upon which the daily life and activities of this “abode the Holy Spirit” revolves.



At least that is the message conveyed by its unique architecture and central position in the complex of buildings that constitute RCT.



The entire structure of the chapel is heaven-oriented. One would be mesmerized by its symmetry. The roof of the chapel appears to be a symphony of many pyramids of varying sizes.






The first thing that draws the attention of the beholder as he crosses the portals of the chapel is the hovering white dove above, symbolizing the Ruha (the Holy Spirit).




Once you are inside this house of prayer, you will surely be disposed to spend a few moments in silent prayer in the presence of the Lord.



Our disposition to prayer and meditation is enhanced by the beautiful stained glass windows depicting the themes of the various liturgical seasons, biblical scenes and Indian saints.


Windows depicting the liturgical seasons of Annunciation, Epiphany and Lent


Windows depicting the liturgical seasons of Resurrection, Apostles and Kaitha


Two windows depicting the liturgical seasons of Elijah-Cross-Moses and Dedication of the Church, followed by a window on the Eucharist


Windows depicting Eucharistic themes: the first one adorns the Hykla and the other two adorn the Eucharistic chapel


A window depicting the multiplication of bread (a Eucharistic theme), adorning the Eucharistic chapel and two windows depicting Blessed Teresa of Culcutta and Blessed Kriakose Chavara, both adorning the Baptistery (Beth Mamodisa)


A window depicting St Alphonsa, adorning Baptistery, and two windows depicting Blessed Kunjachan and Mariam Thresia, adorning the sacristy.


Eucharistic chapel of this house of prayer is quite conducive to silent prayer and meditation. A large size etched depiction of the scene of Calvary is not only beautiful but also prayerful.


The small altar in this eucharistic chapel is also marked by the eucharistic motif: it is sculpted in red stone, depicting the multiplication of five loaves and two fish.


The scene of Jesus’ baptism at Jordan overlooks the Baptistery, which again is a large etched depiction


Icons too find their place in this chapel, where oriental liturgy is celebrated. The first icon that attracts out attention is the holy face of Jesus, in front of the Bema.


On either side of the sanctuary we have also the icons of the Blessed Mother and St Thomas, our father in faith.


The Sanctuary’s (Madbhaha) main attraction is the altar (Thronos ) made up of 12 separate stones, depicting the 12 Apostles. The Beth Gazze is finished in white marble.



At the centre of the eastern wall of the Sanctuary, we find the Mar Sliba sculpted in white marble and it shines forth from a fitting background provided by the mosaic artwork.




And finally, here is a night view of the Chapel situated at the heart of RCT

Ruhalaya Inter-Seminary Bible Quiz 2010

Ruhalaya Inter Seminary Bible Quiz was begun in the academic year 2003-04 at the initiative of the then Rector Rev. Dr James Athikalam and the Bible Professor Rev. Dr Sebastian Kizhakkeyil. It was conducted every year. This year it is the sixth year of this great event. It has got two levels:

1. A Written Quiz in the Seminary level: Each Seminary conducts the Exam for its students in the respective Seminaries with the same question paper sent from Ruhalaya. Answer sheets are sent to Ruhalaya. They are valued and the Topper from each Seminary is selected for the Final Multimedia Quiz in Ruhalaya.

2. The Final level is conducted in Ruhalaya Auditorium. Those selected from each seminary arrive on the previous day. They will be given a rehearsal of the Multimedia session the previous day itself. The Multimedia Final session is a stage show of three hours. The auditorium will be full with the staff and students of Ruhalaya, a few Fathers from outside and the Sisters of the neighboring convents and study houses.

This year the first level was conducted in each Seminary on Dec. 09, 2009. The Final Multimedia Level was conducted on Feb 07, 2010 at Ruhalaya, Ujjain. Nine students representing different Seminaries and Theological Institutes participated. The participants were the following:



Ruhalaya Theologate auditorium was full by 09. 45. The Multimedia show started by 10.00 and was concluded by 13.00.

This year’s topic was Synoptic Gospels. There were 10 Rounds: True or False, Bible Reference, Fill in the Blanks, Right Answer, Verse, Prophecy, Match the Following, Reasoning, Identification, Fast. As one watches the Quiz on the TV, here on the stage was the Quiz Master and the participants with computers in front of them; the audience could watch the whole programme projected through LCD. Dr Joy Panjikaran, the Bible Professor of Ruhalaya, was the Quiz Master.

Our Librarian Mr Joby Mathew and Brothers controlled the show from front and behind. In between the show scenes from Jesus’ life was projected. Audience also had a few questions and those who said the right answers were given prizes immediately.

The participants were competing neck and neck and it headed towards a photo finish by the 6th Round.



It was an exciting one both for the participants and the audience.

The scene tilted a little and on the 9th Round two came first with 77 marks each out of 90. The 10th Round was conducted in between them. At the end of it both remained equal. So the Quiz Master decided to award Gold Medal (First Prize) to both of them sharing the first (books worth Rs 5000/ and Rs 1000 in cash and second (books worth Rs 1750/ and Rs 750/ in cash) prizes. Bros Solomon Ponraj of Papal Seminary, Pune and Dominic Puthenpurackal of Ruhalaya Seminary, Ujjain stood together to receive the Gold Medal; Bro. Mathew Paul of St Ephrem’s, Satna bagged the Bronze (Third Prize: books worth Rs 500/ and Rs 500/ in cash ).

There were welcoming, prize distribution and felicitation ceremonies. Very Rev. Fr James Athikalam, the Director General of MST and Rev. Fr Paul Parekattil, the Regional Director St Paul’s Region MST graced the occasion. Rev. Fr Joseph Venattumattom, Rector of Ruhalaya felicitated the winners and the participants and thanked the Quiz Master and the Team. He also announced the topic of the Quiz of 2010-11: Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

The participants were taken for an Ujjain Darsan in the after noon and they leave Ruhalaya by today and tomorrow. They are given to and fro TA also.

The Bible Quiz was wonderful, successful and exciting due to the hard work of the Quiz Master, Librarian Joby, many Bros and the co-operation, support, and encouragement of the Staff and students of Ruhalaya.

A Word about Ruhalaya Major Seminary

Ruhalaya is the major seminary of the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle (MST). It is situated at the outskirts of Ujjain, a city of historical and religious importance in Madhya Pradesh. Ruhalaya Philosophate was started in 1986 and the Theologate in 1997. Ruhalaya Philosophy faculty is affiliated to the Pontifical Urban University, Rome through the Decree No.1020 of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome, dated 22 October, 1998. Ruhalaya Theology faculty is affiliated to Paurastya Vidyāpītam, Vadavathoor, Kottayam, Kerala through the Decree No. 1068/2006/4 of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome, dated 15 September, 2006.

The name «Ruhalaya» is the combination of the Syriac word Ruha (Holy Spirit) and the Sanskrit word alaya (house, abode), meaning «Abode of the Holy Spirit», placing the seminary rightly in its proper ecclesial and cultural milieu. In this «House of the Holy Spirit», the future priests and missionaries are enlightened, equipped, and formed for the missionary apostolate.

Ruhalaya imparts formation to priesthood, with special emphasis on the human, spiritual, intellectual and missionary training, firmly rooted in the ecclesial traditions of the Syro-Malabar Church and fully adapted to the missionary context of India. Although Ruhalaya is primarily intended for the priestly formation of the future missionaries of MST, it is open to the students of all Syro-Malabar mission dioceses. In exceptional cases students of other sui juris Churches may also be admitted.

In the past 22 years 598 students completed their philosophy and 160 students completed their theology studies here. At present, Ruhalaya has 15 members on the staff and 60 resident students and 11 day scholars in philosophy and 54 resident students and 2 day scholars in theology.