07 October 2015
My dear Seminarian,
The Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri
has opened her doors for a new academic and formation year 2015/2016. We are
happy to receive you here either as an old student or new student. It is
wonderful that you are here. I thank God for his graces working in you and
through you. May these graces continue to guide and nurture you. May you
continue to respond to these graces through your docility to the formation
process.
In the
course of the just concluded holidays, I had the privilege of travelling
through many places in Europe. Two issues confronted me each time I told people
about the huge number of young men in our seminary as well as the big number of
young men who are in other seminaries in our country. The first question which
my audience addressed to me was on the genuineness of intention of these many candidates
in our seminaries. The second was whether we can send some of our excesses to
the countries that have scarce vocations. The first question is one of suspicion.
The second is of hope.
While
these questions appear different, they can actually mean one thing, namely
challenge. The suspicion on the genuine intention of the huge number of our
seminarians challenges each and every one of you to show that your reason for
being in the seminary is borne out of a sincere conviction to serve God and
humanity through the Catholic priesthood. Each and every one of you has the responsibility
to disprove the critics of our large student population. Our large number should
be a joy that so many young men are sincerely willing to offer their lives for
the Gospel. You should show this through your actions and determination.
While
the second question calls us to send some of our excesses to them, I felt
deeply challenged at the qualities of our candidates and how they can stand
international standards. I questioned myself on the values which many of our
seminarians extol and whether such values can either disprove or confirm the
fears of our critics.
The
two questions that should confront us this year are: is my vocation genuine and
am I good enough for the universal mission of the Church? These two questions
call us to seriousness and internal purification of intention. They call us to
commitment to the improvement of our charisms and their proper direction for
missionary service.
The
seminary is not a place to waste time. It is not just a period of merely
waiting for ordination. It is rather period of active day-by-day response to
God who calls you to be his priest. This response implies walking the paths
laid down by the Church. It implies what St. Paul wrote to the Philippians “to
take on the mind of Christ.” (Phil 2:5) The seminary regulations, rules and
other exercises are meant to help you to grow in virtue and become prepared for
the apostolic mission.
As you
come back to begin a new year, it is important to ask yourself whether you are
actually growing, static or diminishing. In the last three years as rector of
this seminary, I have observed the steady progress of many seminarians. This
fills me with joy. However, I have also noted the retrogression of many. I
bleed in the heart to note that some people deteriorate as they are promoted to
higher classes. This should not be the case.
I
welcome you very sincerely. I pray that you use the seminary to prepare
adequately for the very important mission ahead. May God strengthen your
resolve to grow in virtue, wisdom and spirituality.
Welcome
back to the seminary. This is your home. Feel at home and make the best use out
of it. God bless you.
I am,
Yours
sincerely,
Fr. Uzochukwu J. Njoku
