The words ‘Seminary’ and ‘Sports’ can hardly be mentioned in the same breath. For isn’t the Seminary a supposed island of holiness, a field of prayer and a reservoir of theology? Can sports share any space in a pious place? The answer is a hearty yes! The formation of a seminarian includes over-all personality development and the Parel Seminary did believe that games provided not only healthy entertainment but also valuable insights into a seminarian’s character. Their motto was ‘mens sana in corpore sano’, Latin for ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’.

Games were compulsory for the Parel Seminarian. Volleyball, hockey, basketball, and football were played in the season. Long walks were mandatory on Thursdays. The seminarian had to enlist on the ‘Sport’s Board’ for the game of one’s choice. Even those who preferred the library to the playground were obliged to spend some time on the volleyball or the hockey field. For those who couldn’t play, regular physical exercises were highly recommended.