| Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Kenya’s Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri has encouraged Seminarians in South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) to cultivate a deep spiritual life, emphasizing the critical role of discernment, personal responsibility, and spiritual depth in their formation as future Priests.
Addressing the Seminarians during his August 8-13 visit to CDTY, Archbishop Muheria said a deep and personal relationship with God is at the core of Priestly formation, the spirituality that he said “goes beyond outward devotion.” He said the Seminarians’ life “must be centered around the relationship with God.” “You must have a deep spiritual life,” the Kenyan Catholic Archbishop told Seminarians at St. John Paul II Minor Seminary, adding, “Let your knees lead you to the altar. Ask yourself what Jesus is asking of you, and learn to constantly speak to Jesus in the Tabernacle.” “Deep spirituality,” the Archbishop said, “means expanding your heart to relate with God. Spirituality is not measured by how much you sigh when you say the rosary or how devoutly you kneel to receive Holy Communion—these are outward shows.” Describing true spirituality as “something internal”, the Archbishop continued, “You must have a solid and deep relationship with God. God must become your friend, not just someone you turn to when you need something. Your life must be centered around your relationship with Jesus, and your devotion should deepen that relationship with Him, with our Mother Mary, and with your patron saints, John Paul II and Saint Josephine Bakhita.” The Local Ordinary of Nyeri Archdiocese, who also serves as Vice President of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) further urged the seminarians to cultivate a meaningful prayer life. He stressed the importance of allowing their spiritual practices, like prayer and reverence for the Eucharist, to guide their daily lives. Addressing the intellectual demands of the Priesthood, Archbishop Muheria reminded the Seminarians that the Priesthood requires both strength and intelligence. He encouraged them to strive for academic excellence, particularly in the fields of Philosophy and Theology, to effectively minister to the people of God. “You must grow your intellectual capacity. There is no excuse for poor academic performance; the Church demands excellence from you. Your study time is as sacred as your prayer time, so give it the silence and dedication it deserves,” the Kenyan member of Opus Dei said. Archbishop Muheria also addressed formators, urging them to maintain high standards for the Seminarians. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that only those who truly excel are allowed to pass through the seminary’s rigorous formation process. Archbishop Muheria cautioned the Seminarians about the dangers of lacking self-awareness and balance in their actions. “You must learn to measure the right balance in your life. We will help form you, but you must show us that you are willing to learn and grow,” he said. The Archbishop called on the Seminarians to transcend their backgrounds and aspire to raise the standards of their communities. “We have come from the village but we must not remain villagers who happen to be Priests. We must become men of God who live in the village and help our people aspire to higher human and spiritual standards,” the Archbishop of Nyeri said. Credits to: Jude Atemanke per ACIAFRICA Photo credit: CDTY |
Date Published:3 September 2024 Author:Alice, Officer
Article Tags: Latest news, South Sudan, Solidarity, Catholic Church in South Sudan, Diocese of Tombura-Yambio |
