St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, stands as a beacon of priestly formation and spiritual excellence for the Latin Rite Church in Kerala. Our legacy traces its roots to 1682, when the Carmelite missionaries, sent by Pope Alexander VII, established the first seminary at Verapoly. Although the initial seminary was short-lived due to adverse circumstances, its spirit was revived and strengthened over centuries through various historical phases.
In 1764, the seminary was re-established to train both Latin and Syrian clergy. By 1866, it had moved to Puthenpally and was later recognized as the Major Seminary for all of Malabar. With the ever-growing number of seminarians, a new chapter began in 1932 at Mangalapuzha, Alwaye.
To address the increasing need for philosophical formation, a dedicated seminary was established in 1955 on a serene hillock nearby, now known as Carmelgiri. Inaugurated by the Apostolic Internuncio to India, Most Rev. Martin Lucas, this seminary was designed to form young men in the Latin Rite with a strong foundation in philosophy and priestly discipline.
In 1964, the seminary was elevated to Pontifical Status by the Holy See. The administration, originally under the Carmelite Order, was entrusted to the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Conference (KCBC) in 1976. A milestone reorganization in 1996 officially designated Carmelgiri as the Major Seminary for the Latin Rite, ensuring focused formation in liturgy, spirituality, and ecclesial tradition.
We proudly carry forward the enduring legacy of the Carmelite missionaries who served Kerala’s clergy for over three centuries. The sanctity and dedication of our former professors, Rev. Fr. Aurelian, O.C.D., and Rev. Fr. Zacharias, O.C.D.—both declared Venerable—remain a source of inspiration to our community.
Carmelgiri continues to thrive as a house of discernment, learning, and deep spiritual formation, preparing future priests to serve the Church with wisdom, compassion, and missionary zeal.