The date March 20 will long be remembered in the Vicariate of India as the day when the new Moreau Formation House in Salem and the Grande Saint Joseph in Yercaud were ceremoniously dedicated with the blessings of their cornerstones.

The Moreau Formation House, situated on the campus of Notre Dame of Holy Cross School in Salem, was blessed and inaugurated by the Most Rev. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Salem. Bishop Dorairaj also presided and preached at a Mass in the new chapel, which was attended by many Holy Cross religious, priests in the diocese, friends, and well-wishers.

All of the guests joined for lunch immediately after the ceremony. The formation house, built for both aspirants and postulants, has the capacity to house 40 students, with additional rooms for the staff.
 
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Also, on the same day, Bishop Dorairaj blessed and inaugurated the Vicariate’s new guest house in nearby Yercaud. The Grande Saint Joseph has 35 private rooms and a conference hall that can accommodate 400 people.

Located next to the community’s Rahm’s House, the new building will serve as off-campus housing for student and faculty seminars and camps of the Vicariate’s schools. It will also serve as a retreat house and conference center. In addition to the Holy Cross religious present, local clergy and religious were in attendance. As part of the occasion, the architect, builders, and other engineers were also honored.
 
Br. PJ Santosh, C.S.C., and other Vicariate Council members were present for both celebrations.