1: Introduction

Real life experiences can bring about a lot of changes in our lives. As we move closer to the common man, many of our prejudices and definitions of life undergo a sea change. It can bring about a change in our attitude and outlook towards the people who live around us.

The first year Philosophy students of Dharmaram College, a Major Seminary of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate congregation based in Bangalore, underwent this sort of experience during the summer vacation 2007. It was a two-week Exposure Programme (9 April 2007 to 22 April 2007), in which the brothers had to find a job somewhere in Bangalore and had to live outside the seminary. It was an initiative of Dharmaram Social Service Department and the proceeds of this work were to be used for social cause.

All of us brothers were engaged in various types of activities such as working in hotels, working at construction sites, etc. A group of brothers also went to a village namely Betramthotty and constructed a house for a poor family, that too in just two weeks’ time. For all of us who went out for the exposure programme, it was indeed a wonderful experience, which we will cherish forever. This exposure programmes had a deep impact on the pastoral outlook of the brothers and it is sure to reflect upon their pastoral activities in their lives as priests in the long run.