Inspiring letters from mission seminaries tell of the growing number of young men in Asia and Africa responding to our Lord’s call to the priesthood.
One recent letter, from a seminary in Nigeria, included such facts and figures — and then one line that spoke to the heart.
Seminarians serve in Nigeria
St. Augustine’s Seminary in Jos, Nigeria, is filled to capacity, with some 300 students. The rector, Fr. Sylvester Dagin, offers particulars about their formation and of their work on the seminary’s small farm, growing potatoes and vegetables.
He tells, too, about their service outside the seminary, in local parishes, hospitals, and prisons. The seminarians belong to a “mission club,” praying for all missions and for those who bring to the world the “Good News” of Jesus.
Near the end of the letter came the heart-hitting line: “I have placed my hands in those of Christ, trusting in Him.” This was how seminarian Andrew Midim described his resolve to complete studies for the priesthood, no matter the difficulties, like an attack on the seminary just last November. He and his classmates are convinced, most especially, of the need, in their own homeland, for the message of Jesus and for the Eucharist.
Witnessing to the Good News
In another African country, nearby Ghana, a local priest, 10 years after ordination, writes of how that message of Jesus is received — and of the priest’s duty to give witness to that “Good News.”
“As a priest, I make it a point to visit villagers regularly in their homes,” says Father Francis. “I met this one man, who was not a Catholic, and we had a lively conversation. We discussed many issues, and I prayed with him. I invited him to visit our parish church.
“One day the man did come to our church,” Father Francis says. “And he has been coming ever since. In fact, he has been baptized and confirmed, and he is most passionate about his new-found faith.”
Bringing ‘the hope of our Lord’
On another continent, the rector of Our Lady of Lanka National Seminary in Kandy, Sri Lanka, affirms the role of the priest as evangelizer.
“We are forming missionaries,” says Fr. Anthony Jayakody, rector at Our Lady of Lanka. “We want to bring hope — the hope of our Lord — to our people.”
Throughout the missions, seminarians place their hand in the Lord’s, trusting in His guidance. Priests bear witness to Jesus, reaching out with His love and compassion, welcoming others into the Church.
Place your hand in theirs
Will you “place your hand” in theirs? Will you support seminarians in Nigeria, Ghana, and Sri Lanka, and throughout the developing world, above all, by your prayers? Ask the Lord to bless them in their studies and give them courage and strength as priests.
And will you place “from your hand” a sacrifice as material help through the Propagation of the Faith/St. Peter Apostle? About $2 a day supports each student at the seminary in Nigeria — about $15 a week. Whatever your gift, it will be of great benefit as these young men prepare for a lifetime of service.
Loving acceptance
Help offered through the Propagation of the Faith/St. Peter Apostle also is a blessing to young women and men preparing for religious life. The service of religious Sisters and Brothers brings hope and joy to the poor and suffering.
Take, for example, the work of Sister Ruby in Lusaka, Zambia. There, she and other Sisters in her local religious community offer a home and an education to orphans and children at risk.
“These children who have lost their natural parents or whose parents are dying need to be loved and accepted by others,” Sister Ruby explains. “Our work requires providing the basic necessities of life.”
“But above all,” she continues, “it is our actions that must help these young people feel that loving acceptance. It is what the Lord Himself would show them.”
Mission seminarians and novices count on your help so that they may offer such loving service among the poorest in our human family. Even as you pray and sacrifice to support them, you remain in their prayers. May the Lord bless you for your generous missionary heart!
Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer is director of the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Madison. Contributions to the Propagation of the Faith may be sent to: P.O. Box 44983, Madison, WI 53744-4983.