12 June, 1968 is a red letter day in the history of the diocese of Sambalpur and the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). It was on this day the first Minor Seminary in the Diocese was started and the SVDs shouldered the responsibility of manning it. Fr. Paul Ethakatt, the first Rector, began this new ministry of formation in a small rented house in Ainthapali, Sambalpur. This institution was named JYOTI BHAVAN, the abode of light. CHRIST the LIGHT abides in those who live in this house. Imbued by the same light, as torchbearers, they share this light with others. Diwali, the festival of light was chosen as the day of Family Feast, which is continued till this day.
Initially two SVD scholastics Frt. Joseph Barla and Frt. Mathew Poovanpuzha, who were doing their Graduation, joined the Rector and formed a community. Sisters of St. Joseph at Brooks Hill, Sambalpur were the only religious in the town with a handful of catholics. In July the first batch of nine students from Sundargarh district arrived and took admission for Pre-University Course in G. M. College, Sambalpur.
In 1948 the Jesuits handed over the Gangpur Mission to the SVDs and the Diocese of Sambalpur was established in 1951 and the SVD Province in 1954. It was only after twenty years of work in this mission, Rt. Rev. Herman Westermann, the first Bishop of Sambalpur Diocese and Rev. Fr. Liam Horsfall, the Regional of SVD East Indian Province were inspired to start a formation house for the young stars of this region. Now we could see it bearing abundant fruit for the diocese of Sambalpur.
In 1974 the work began in the new plot purchased for the Minor Seminary at Sarlakani-Koraitola village and on 1 May 1975 the new Jyoti Bhavan was blessed by Rt. Rev. Raphael Cheenath, Bishop of Sambalpur. Rev. Fr. Alphonse Bilung, the Provincial, Rev. Fr. Lukas Kerketta, the Rector; a few more Priests, Sisters, Students and Parishioners were present for the occasion. Under the able hand of Fr. John Milieckal, the Parish Priest and Frt. Sebastian Mattappallil, the regent, the building was partially completed and in June 1975 the new students came to make it a home. In January 1976 Rev Fr. John Kerketta, the V.G. of Sambalpur blessed the remaining portion of the building and the whole house was ready for living.
Thirty-seven years have passed; but the ray of light shines upon us more warmly even today. In 1979 the Diocese of Sambalpur was divided and the new Diocese of Rourkela was established. In the same year, Fr. Albert Xess, the first fruit of Jyoti Bhavan was ordained in Kesramal. Till today Jyoti Bhavan has mothered most of the priests and brothers those who are working in Sambalpur and Rourkela Dioceses.
The students stay here for 3 years doing their one-year of Orientation Course and 2 years of +2 in the G.M. College. They choose any combination of their choice in Arts, Commerce and Science. Till 1989 the students were recruited for Jyoti Bhavan from the Apostolic School Gaibira and Kesramal and from the summer vocation camps conducted by the Vocation Board of Rourkela-Sambalpur dioceses. At the end of second year they freely opted for either the diocese of Rourkela or Sambalpur or SVD.
From the year 1975 to 1984 there were 54 students and 31 scholastics who did their graduation by staying in Jyoti Bhavan. Most of the student graduates were the SVD juniorate students who returned from Palda, Indore. The scholastics were for the diocese of Rourkela and Sambalpur and the SVD. The SVD brother candidates also came to Jyoti Bhavan for their college studies.
In 1990, Divya Nilaya, the Diocesan Minor Seminary for Rourkela Diocese was started. Henceforth, Jyoti Bhavan catered to the need of the Sambalpur diocese and S.V.D. The Society of the Divine Word felt the need to have their own Minor Seminary. Hence, in 1997 Vidya Jyoti, SVD Minor Seminary was born. The SVD candidates those who were here continued to stay here till they completed their studies. In 1997, the first Diocesan Rector, Fr. Bartholomew Bilung was appointed to shoulder the responsibility.
Rt. Rev. Herman Westermann remarked, “Let my Seminarians get fresh air”. The doors and windows of Jyoti Bhavan are opened to get fresh air in the context of the diocese. The present Rector, Fr. Anil Kumar Kujur, Fr. George Soreng, the Prefect and Bro. Felix Lakra, the Regent are trying to walk in the footprints of their predecessors. At present there are 41 students in Jyoti Bhavan. Besides one year of Orientation Course and +2 studies, few students come back after their spirituality course and do their +3 at G.M. College. With the light of Christ, the original aims and objectives of Jyoti Bhavan is ever clear and alive. The present staff and students promise to bear the palm and bearers of kingdom values.
