Coming down from Yercaud from the traditional large seminary to the structure of Students’ Homes, the first Students’ Home was started in Bangalore in the year 1963 in the diocesan seminary until we had our own house in 1964. In the beginning, this house provided initial formation to candidates who came from Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu. Bangalore, the capital city of the state of Karnataka--also known as the Garden City of India-is today India’s 5th largest, and the fastest growing, city in India. A highly cosmopolitan city, Bangalore is home to over 270 religious congregations and over 350 religious houses.

Most of the priests of Holy Cross in India today have passed through the doors of Holy Cross Students’ Home, Bangalore, studying for their bachelor’s degree either at St. Joseph’s College or Christ College. Presently, it houses the young religious. Young formees of Holy Cross here still continue to live a vibrant community life and learn to combine academic study with personal growth, concern for those who are less fortunate and active participation in the life of the local parish. They assist in the parish choirs, volunteer their services to social work centers, homes for the aged, street children and the like.

In December, 1974, Holy Cross purchased a plot of land measuring 22 acres in Bannerghatta, on the outskirts of Bangalore, and this, for several years, was developed as a farm managed by Mr. M. Ratna Kumar. In this quiet, rural setting, Holy Cross Students’ Home, Sakalavara, began on January 6, 1999 when the Orientation program--the initial formation of new aspirants to Holy Cross-- was transferred from Holy Cross Students’ Home, Museum Road, Bangalore. With Fr. Joseph Gaspar as its first Rector, this house has seen several young men introduced to the Holy Cross way of life. Later on, the formation program of Holy Cross was changed and this house in Sakalavara, from June 2001, became a formation centre for candidates doing their college studies. At present, Fr. Jean-Charles Descary, the Rector, assisted by Fr. Joby Sebastian & Fr. J. Sahaya Lourdh Raj, takes care of 6 students who pursue their degree studies at Christ College, Bangalore and 28 aspirants. Though for the college-goers a lot of time is spent in academic pursuits, the main focus for the candidates of Holy Cross is to grow in their vocation as future religious of Holy Cross and in developing a sense of team-work, service to others, a love for prayer and the spiritual life. This process is facilitated by their participation in community exercises, common prayer, development of their individual personalities and talents etc. Too, for the aspirants, classes on various topic and other exposure programs initiates them to the life and work of the congregation so that this stage of their formation, especially for the college-goers shapes them for the eventual formal initiation to religious life in Holy Cross which is the Novitiate.