About Us

Ruhalaya is the major seminary of the Missionary Society of St Thomas the Apostle (MST). It is situated at the outskirts of Ujjain, a city of historical and religious importance in Madhya Pradesh, India. Ruhalaya Philosophate was started in 1986 and the Theologate in 1997. Ruhalaya Philosophy faculty is affiliated to the Pontifical Urban University, Rome through the Decree No.1020 of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome, dated 22 October, 1998. Ruhalaya Theology faculty is affiliated to Paurastya Vidyapeedam Vadavathoor, Kottayam, Kerala through the Decree No. 1068/2006/4 of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome, dated 15 September, 2006.

The name Ruhalaya is the combination of the Syriac word Ruha (Holy Spirit) and the Sanskrit word Laya (house, abode), meaning Abode of the Holy Spirit, placing the seminary rightly in its proper ecclesial and cultural milieu. In this House of the Holy Spirit, the future priests and missionaries are enlightened, equipped, and formed for the missionary apostolate.Ruhalaya imparts formation to priesthood, with special emphasis on the human, spiritual, intellectual and missionary training, firmly rooted in the ecclesial traditions of the Syro-Malabar Church and fully adapted to the missionary context of India. Although Ruhalaya is primarily intended for the priestly formation of the future missionaries of MST, it is open to the students of all Syro-Malabar mission dioceses. In exceptional cases students of other sui juris Churches may also be admitted.

In the past 32 years, 879 students completed their philosophy and 311 students completed their theology studies here. At present, Ruhalaya has 16 members on the staff and 94 resident students in philosophy and 56 resident students in theology.