MANGOCHI, MALAWI – In line with the words of Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium, “The joy of the gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded,” seminarians at St. Paul the Apostle Seminary (SPAS) were reminded of their calling to serve and bring joy to all people during their monthly recollection held on Saturday.
The recollection, themed “Seminarian Call in Relation to the Call of Mary and Samuel,” was facilitated by Fr. Saulos Chimbalanga, who drew parallels between the lives of Mary and Samuel and the seminarians’ own vocations. “Like Samuel, you are called for a mission and service, and it is God who is calling you,” Fr. Chimbalanga said. “And like Mary, your call is a gift of service, mission, faith and prayer, hence the need not to be afraid because God is with you.”
The event, which began on Friday evening, concluded with the celebration of the Holy Mass, during which Fr. Chimbalanga emphasized the importance of prayer in the life of a seminarian. “Prayer is the only way to make a good seminarian,” he said, quoting St. John Bosco, the saint of the day. “Prayer is the only way to make a good boy, and to a larger extent, a good seminarian.”
St. Paul the Apostle Seminary, a minor seminary belonging to the Diocese of Mangochi, has been assisting young men in the diocese to discover and shape their vocation to the priesthood since its inception in 1985. As Pope Benedict XVI noted in Deus Caritas Est, “The Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her threefold responsibility: proclaiming the word of God, celebrating the sacraments, and exercising the ministry of charity.” The seminarians at SPAS are being formed to embody this mission.
The recollection served as a timely reminder of the importance of discernment and commitment to one’s vocation, echoing the words of Socrates, “Unexamined life is not worthy living.” As the seminarians continue their journey, they are encouraged to emulate the examples of Mary and Samuel, and to remain steadfast in their commitment to serve God and the Church.
Communications Office – Diocese of Mangochi