Holy Cross Scholasticate, Rampura, is the highest level of formation house of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province, Bangladesh. Mainly the professed seminarians of the Congregation reside here and continue their Philosophy and Theology studies at Holy Spirit Major Seminary, Banani, Dhaka, affiliated with Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, for two and four years, respectively.
The seminarians of this formation house are guided by the six pillars of the formation programs – human formation, spiritual formation, intellectual formation, community life, vowed life, and apostolic life. They go through the different programs and apostolic activities of the formation house throughout the year to prepare themselves for the future ministries of the Congregation. They are sent to the different parishes of Holy Cross for one-year regency or pastoral experience when they complete their first-year studies of Theology. In addition, the seminarians are also sent to different parishes for five to seven weeks of experiences of apostolic and Holy Week programs once a year.
Last year (January to December 2020), the Holy Cross Scholasticate received a generous grant through the Holy Cross Mission Center. It provided tremendous support and help for those going through the formation programs of Holy Cross Scholasticate, Rampura. The money was used for the continuous growth and development of the scholastics. Specifically, it helped fund their studies, room, board, and personal expenditures.
For the intellectual growth of the seminarians, they were provided all kinds of study materials, including their admission fees, tuition fees, library fees, and other study-related equipment like a projector and computer. Some new books for the library of the Scholasticate were purchased to help the seminarians grow with the zeal for intellectual curiosity for knowledge and formation. The scholastics also published their two-half yearly publication “Protiti” in two semesters. They went to visit different historical places of Bangladesh in their annual study tour, which helped them to be relaxed after their long study periods and broadened their outlook and knowledge as well.
A large amount of money has been spent on the Scholasticate’s utility expenses (electricity, water, gas, internet, and telephone), fuel for the generator, its maintenance cost, and house supplies. Some of the funds were used for building repairs at the formation house too.
A sincere effort has been put into providing the seminarians with nutritious food to maintain their physical health. At the same time, their medical treatment was ensured if needed.
Lastly, a monthly allowance was provided to the seminarians for their pocket money and personal articles. They were given some money for their clothing separately, and their traveling expenses were also borne when they went on vacation, seven weeks of apostolic work, and Holy Week services to different parishes for their apostolic formation and the preparation for their future apostolates.
The Scholasticate was very blessed by receiving these funds.
