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.