Shrine Vailankanni

Arokia Niketan was founded in the year 1996 to offer various courses in Theology with particular focus on Mariology. It is the first and so far the only Institute of its kind in Asia. Though it is Roman Catholic in its affliation, it is ecumenical in its perspectives and is open to all those who are interested in acquiring a profound knowledge of Christianity and Mary's role in it. The Institute is ideally situated on the shore Bay of Bengal which is an internationally reputed centre of Marian apparitions and pilgrimages. For hundreds of years this Shrine has been the spring board of popular piety and centre of religious, cultural and national integration. The campus provides serene and devotional atmosphere for study, research and reflection. It is a tangible expression of the Diocesan commitment for the universal Church for the multiple blessings showered through the Shrine Basilica.

Arokia Niketan offers a nine month long (July to March) residential diploma course in basic theology covering the Holy Bible, Christian Spirituality and Systematic Theology with special focus on Mariology in English. The entire course, conducted by some of the best professors from various Theological Faculties of India, is designed to meet the needs of religious sisters, brothers as well as lay people who are interested and involved in various kinds of pastoral ministry. Graduates and post graduates are eligible to apply for the course.

Full scholarship is available to 24 students every year for this rigorous programme. However contribution according to their ability is highly appreciated.

The Institute’s library has a large collection of books and journals on Marian themes. Other areas of Theology are also given reasonable attention. Video and audio cassettes on Marian topics are also available for reference. Those who wish to stay and use the library for research can write or call the Librarian for details.

Biblical Theology 1. Introduction to the Bible 2. Lectio Divina 3. Pauline Corpus & Revelation 4. Gospel of John 5. Prophets 6. Synoptics 7. Pentateuch 8. Psalms	Fr.Raymond Joseph Most Rev.Devadass Fr.Aloysius Xavier Fr.Heronymus. Fr.M.Stanly. Fr.Benjamin. Fr.Maria Arul Raj Fr. Maria Selvam.
Systematic Theology 1. Introduction to Study-Methodology 2. Psychology & Counseling 3. Sacraments 4. Trinity 5. Christology 6. Ecclesiology 7. Religious Pluralism 8. Faith and revelation	Fr.D.Alphonse. Fr.Joseph Jerald           Fr.Karambai Sebastin. Fr. A.M.Lourdusamy. Fr.D.Alphonse. Fr.John Britto Dupre (France). Fr.Arul Pragasam. Fr.Abraham Giri.
Spirituality 1. Christian Spirituality 2. Forms of Contemplation	Most Rev. F.Antonysamy. Fr.Jeyaraj.
Mariology 1. Virtues of Mary 2. Mary in Liturgy 3. Mary and Ecumenism 4. Mary and discernment 5. Magnificat 6. Contemporary Mariology 7. Mary in CCC 8. Mary in the Second Vatican Council 9. Mary and Popular Devotions 10. Seminar on Apparitions 11. Mary in Patristic Literature 12. Mary in Islam 13. Mary and Feminism 14. Mary in the Bible 15. Mary and Iconography 16. Mary in medieval times 17. Marian dogmas	Fr.Y.Irudayaraj. Fr.Rollington. Fr.J.Augustine. Fr. Rexbai. Fr. Jerry. Fr.Susaimani. Fr.Joseph Francis. Fr.Selvam. Fr.J.Augustine. Fr.J.Augustine. Fr.G.V.Panneer Selvam. Fr.J.Augustine. Fr.John Peter. Fr.Anand. Fr.G.V.Panneer Selvam Fr. Cletus. Fr.G.V.Panneer Selvam.

You can send/recommend students from your parishes/ institutions. You can donate books. If you wish to contribute for any of the above activity contact the Bishop of Thanjavur who is the president of this Institute or the Director.

Vailankanni, our National Pride is the point of Unity for peoples and a symbol of cultural harmony. In this most visited Shrine, the stay itself is valuable. The serene and spiritual atmosphere of the campus, adjacent to Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health Vailankanni, provides an ideal milieu for reading, research and reflection.

For further information, scholarship, prospectus and applications please contact:

The Director,
Arokia Niketan,
Institute for Marian Studies,
Vailankanni- 611111, Nagai (Dt).
Email: marianinstitute@gmail.com
Ph: 04365 263352; Cell: 8903147970

Medium of Instruction : English

• 3 and half months - Course on Mariology from July 1st to Oct. 15th 2011
• 5 Days course on any specified subject below.
• 9 months Diploma course on theology with specialization in Mariology from July 1st 2011 to March 31st 2012.

COURSE 2011-12

JULY:

• 4-8 Mary In Islam,
• 9-13 Marian Patristic Literature,
• 14-15 Psychology & Counseling,
• 18-22 Medieval Fathers, 25-29 Christology,

AUGUST:

• 1-5 Mary and Discernment,
• 8-12 Mary Model of Christian Virtues,
• 15-19 Seminar on Ecumenism,
• 22-26 Mary in the Documents,
• 27-29 Psychology & Counseling,

SEPTEMBER:

• 9-10 Marian Catechesis,
• 12-14 Magnificat & Its Pastoral Implications,
• 15-16 Seminar on Apparition,
• 17-21 Marian Dogma,
• 22-23 Seminar on Apparition,
• 26-30 Mary in Ecumenism & Dialogue,

OCTOBER:

• 3-7 Mary in the Bible,
• 10-15 Ecclesiology,
• 17-21 Liturgy,
• 24-28 Introduction to the Bible,

NOVEMBER:

• Oct 31- Nov 4 Psalms,
• 7-11 Forms of Contemplation,
• 14-18 Faith and Revelation,
• 28-29 Introduction to Canon Law,

DECEMBER:

• 2-4 St.John’s Gospel &
• Revelation,
• 5-9 Sacraments,
• 12-16 Infancy Narratives,

JANUARY:

• 3-7 Prophets,
• 9-13 Pentateuch,
• 16-21 Pauline Corpus,
• 23-27 Trinity,

FEBRUARY:

• 30-3 Christian Spirituality,
• 13-17 Eucharist,

March:

• 27-2 Feminism,

Both Lay persons and Religious are eligible to get admission. Full Scholarship is available for deserving students.

For further information, scholarship, prospectus and applications please contact:

The Director,
Arokia Niketan,
Institute for Marian Studies,
Vailankanni- 611111, Nagai (Dt).
Email: marianinstitute@gmail.com
Ph: 04365 263352; Cell: 8903147970