Foundation: 1984

The long cherished ambition of constructing the Minor Seminary came to fruition in the laying of foundation stone on 13 th August 1996 , the feast day of Claretian Martyrs of Barbastro. On 1 st may of 2000, Claret Vidyaniketan was inaugurated. To arrive at this port it demanded a long journey of trial and hardships. From the year 1986 when Claret Nivas was established at Barrackpore in West Bengal there has been an enthusiasm to promote local vocations from the tribal belt of North India along with the expansion of the missions in the North. Initially a few students were found out and they were given formation in Claret Nivas, the thelogate in Barrackpore. Then it was decided to found the Minor Seminary at Rajibpur of Raiganj Diocese in West Bengal . The formation centre was begun in 1993 in the building offered by the Diocese. During the process of purchasing a land for the establishment of the Seminary, unfortunately Fr. V.S. Packianathan CMF was murdered by the dacoits. This was a shocking event in the life of the young organism which was not yet a Province at that time. In order to avoid the risk and danger of life to the young aspirants, it was temporarily shifted back to Barrackpore. In 1997, a house was bought at Ranchi for Northern Minor seminarians. The community of Claret Vidyaniketan, which was functioning in a separate wing at Claret Nivas, Barrackpore was shifted to this house in the same year. The Exodus came to an end when a land was purchased in Saporam in 1995 and the construction of the new seminary was completed in 2000.

The Academic formation aims at developing their capacities in English Language, General Knowledge, History of the Congregation, Catechism and Public Speaking. Students bring out their artistic talents through preparing hand written manuscript namely' Vidhya Deep'. They also take lessons in music, Karate, Folk arts and yoga. The students are prepared for Intermediate government exams in the seminary itself.

Claret Bhavan, Karumathur is the first house of Province of Chennai , which was founded in 1978. After the completion of novitiate at Bangalore the students undergo three years of studies in Philosophy. Now there are also postulants who do their graduation before going to the Novitiate. Students from North and South India take their course in Philosophy and other subjects at Arul Anandar College Karumathur. Apart from the collage curriculum the students enhance their intellectual caliber through literary Association, Meetings, Manuscripts like 'Sun Light', 'Deepam' and Bouquet'. They also practice alternative medicine and take practical training by visiting villages. Students collaborate with the Parish Priest of Claret Mission Parish, Karumathur in teaching catechism to the children and animating Sunday liturgy. On Sunday evenings students also visit about 20 villages to teach children towards human formation and visit the families.