St.Columban’s Minor Seminary

A Brief History of St. Columban’s Minor Seminary

          Before the opening of St. Columban’s Minor Seminary in Myitkyina, those who wanted to become priests were sent for studies in Maymyo Seminary that belongs to Archdiocese of Mandalay, that was from 1953 to 1965. In 1995, Bishop. John Howe (St. Columban Missionary) and all priests in the diocese of Myitkyina decided to establish a diocesan seminary for Myitkyina. The first place Minor Seminary was in the wooden clergy house at St. Columban’s Cathedral, Aung Nan. The students increased year by year. Considering the necessity of a new building for the seminary, the foundation was blessed and the constructions started on 3. 4. 1976. In this seminary, the students are trained and provided secular and religious formation. After passing matriculation exam, the students are sent to St. Patrick’s Intermediate Seminary in Shatapru for further Higher Education and Priestly Formation. St. Columban’s Minor Seminary is the heart of Myitkyina Diocese as well as lasting memorial of Columban Missionaries as the Missionary pioneers in Myitkyina. 
Source: The Footprints of the Columban missionaries, The Guiding Stars, In Kachin Land
Important Facts
Date of Opening of Seminary: 1965
Date of blessing of foundation: April 3, 1976
Priests: 67
Alumni: 1130
Silver Jubilee: 21. 10. 2001
Golden Jubilee: 24. 11. 2015
Present Candidates: 33 (2022-2023 Academic Year)
Former Rectors
(1) Rev. Fr. Colm Murphy (1965)
(2) Rev. Fr. Patrick Connealy (1965 -1966)
(3) Rev. Fr. Thomas Nawhkum Lawt Naw (1966-1967)
(4) Rev. Fr. Patrick Madden (1967-1970)
(5) Rev. Fr. Thomas Rillstone (1970-1977)
(6) Rev. Fr. Peter Malang Nawng Maw (1977-1982, 2010-2012)
(7) Rev. Fr. Gregory Naw Din (1982-1984)
(8) Rev. Fr. Raymond Sumlut Gam (1984-1988)
(9) Rev. Fr. Wilfred Myit Soe (1988-1990)
(10) Rev. Fr. Joseph Hkangda Kum Htoi (1990-1993)
(11) Rev. Fr. Leo Gopal (1993-2003, 2007-2010)
(12) Rev. Fr. Michael Lazum Lung Wa (2003-2007)
(13) Rev. Fr. Peter Hka Awng Tu (2012-2014)
(14) Rev. Fr. Peter Zangyaw Hpung (2014-2017)
(15) Rev. Fr. Bosco Nlam Hkun Seng (2017-2018)
(16) Rev. Fr. Joseph Zinghtung La Nu (2018-2021)
(17) Rev. Fr. John Maran La Sam (2021- )