Sacred Heart Theological College (SHTC), originally known as Our Lady’s House, was opened at Laitumkhrah, Shillong, in 1928 for the formation of the Salesian clerics. It was shifted to its present site at Mawlai in 1938. Temporarily closed in 1967, the College was reopened in 1976. Ever since its reopening, taking into account the particular advantages of its location, the College has been striving to promote Missiological studies. In 1981 the College was affiliated to the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), Rome, with the decree of the Congregation for Catholic Education dated 6 June 1981. The affiliation was renewed on 5 March 1986. Since the acquisition of affiliation, the B.Th. (Bachelor of Theology) degree has been conferred on students who do the basic course in Theology. From 1983 a dialogue was underway with the competent authorities of the UPS for aggregation of the College to the same University to enable the students to obtain a Master’s Degree in Systematic Theology (M.Th.) with a specialization in Missiology. Aggregation was accorded to the College by a decree of the Congregation for Catholic Education dated 24 May 1989. One hundred and seventy-six students have so far completed their M.Th. studies. From 2006 SHTC offered a second specialization, namely, a Master’s Degree in Spirituality (M.Th. in Spirituality). Since August 1993 the College has been offering a one-year Integrated Training for Laity and Religious (I.T.L.R). It is in response to a felt need of the Church in this area. The course aims to impart a deeper knowledge of Christian faith and doctrine so that it may be lived more personally and shared more competently with the people at large, especially the youth. Since 2012 the College has been offering short-term courses (one in a semester) on various important themes. These courses are meant for the animation of clergy and religious working in Northeast India.

Our Vision

At the service of the Church, by nature Missionary, Sacred Heart Theological College (SHTC), Shillong, after the example of the Good Shepherd, energized by the infinite love symbolized in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and guided by the educational Philosophy of Don Bosco, envisions the integral formation of candidates to the priesthood and other interested persons. It envisions the whole curriculum of theological studies imbued with a missionary heart, thus making a specific contribution to formation in India/Asia. Commitment to the poor and the marginalized, promotion of justice and peace, harmony with the whole of God’s Creation, building a communion of communities, joining hands with all people of good will are integral to SHTC’s vision.