St. Patrick’s Intermediate Seminary

A Brief History of St. Patrick’s Intermediate Seminary

          After the opening of St. Columban’s Minor Seminary, the students flocked to it to study secular and religious education. St. Columban’s Minor Seminary accepted the students from grade (8) to university. In the Academic Year of 1994 – 1995, there were ninety-six students. It became difficult to accommodate the students because, the seminary was able to provide a suitable accommodation for up to only seventy-five students. In the Academic Year of 1995 – 1996, those who heard and responded to God’s calling reached over one hundred and twenty (120). They needed suitable accommodations as well as higher education according to the demand of the time.
By seeing the sign of time, His Excellency, Bishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng, Bishop Philip Zahawng and the priests decided in their annual meeting to open a new seminary. Rev. Fr. Donald Hkawng Lum was appointed to find a place for a new seminary. The land situated in Shatapru, which was owned by Mr. N-gan Ja Naw and Mrs. Ja Awng, was a suitable place for a new seminary. Therefore, Rev. Fr. Donald Hkawng Lum requested them to offer the land for the establishment of a new seminary. After accepting of his request, the blessing of the land was administered by His Excellency, Bishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng on 9. 2. 1996.
On 14. 5. 1996, Rev. Fr. Donald Hkawng Lum was appointed as the first rector of that seminary. Rev. Fr. Donald Hkawng Lum, together with twenty-two students, started to the new seminary which was known as “St. Patrick’s Pre-Major”. After many years, St. Patrick’s Pre-Major was elevated to be “St. Patrick’s Intermediate Seminary”. Now, it becomes a center for both higher both secular education and formation for priestly vocation.
 Source: The Footprints of the Columban Missionaries, The Guiding Stars, In Kachin Land