Missionaries of Africa, Jinja

Community Member enjoying the music with a dance. Embracing our founders’ words, “the evangelisation of Africa must be accomplished by the Africans themselves, once they have become Christian and apostles”, it has always been a good initiative to welcome more people called to His vineyard. Every year, candidates join different stages in formation as time takes part mostly in the regulating progress. Welcoming the new community members is always joyful as it assures the continuity of the presence of labourers for tomorrow to take care of His vineyard. Happily, we welcomed our thirteen new community members with open heart and fundamental convivial attitude. With spicy barbecued varieties of meat alongside other types of foods, the evening was enthusiastic to exceed every ones’ expectations. The MCs of the day guided the event perfectly as the DJs spiced it with great music. Guided by the necessary guidelines, the welcoming and introduction of all members for further rec...

We need more men who are capable of moral leadership and seminary can provide the formation needed to do that -- even if they don't become priests. Who should enter seminary? Only those who are 100% certain that they will become a priest? Or should all men “test the waters” and spend a year or two at their local seminary? When discerning young men consider entering seminary, they are often asked by friends and relatives, “Are you 100% certain that you are called to become a priest?” Many young men struggle with this question for years and will never enter seminary because they are not absolutely certain that God is calling them to this vocation. This is unfortunate, as seminary shouldn’t be viewed as a “priest-making facility,” where young men enter without any doubts or fears and magically become a priest at the end of it all. It is true that men must enter seminary to become a priest, but the human, intellectual and spiritual formation that a man receives at seminary...

In most cases, some people tend to think that being in missionary or religious life is an opportunity to enjoy life and be away from any difficulties. As a missionary, one is expected to look for the people of God as a shepherd who looks for lost sheep. Many people forget that missionary life is not about relaxation but rather a commitment to the mission of Christ. In March 2013, I started my formation journey in Tanzania with the society of the Missionaries of Africa as an aspirant. At that time, I had never experienced anything special in this life until when I left my own country for further formation.   After completing the first stage, I was required to come to Uganda for my first phase where I started to experience a new environment as a missionary student. I found out that we were many students from different countries as well as formators, with various cultural backgrounds. This also meant that there was a possibilit...