Reported by Brenard Mwanza
Catholics have been urged to pray for and support seminarians preparing for the priesthood, with Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe Right Reverend Vincent Frederick Mwakhwawa stressing that the formation of future priests is a responsibility shared by the whole Church.
Bishop Mwakhwawa made the appeal on Saturday, 24 October 2026, during Mass at Maula Cathedral in Lilongwe, held to raise funds for seminarians’ education.
“If you know a seminarian, take him as your son and pray for him every day,” he said, encouraging the faithful to remember seminarians in their daily prayers and during Eucharistic Adoration.
He also urged Catholics to pray for young people discerning vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, saying the journey to ministry requires perseverance, discernment and God’s grace.
Bishop Mwakhwawa said priests serve the Church through the celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments, preaching, prayer and pastoral guidance. He stressed the importance of ensuring that seminarians receive proper spiritual, academic and pastoral formation.
“Loving a seminarian, loving a pastoral agent, is loving Christ Himself,” he said, calling on the faithful to accompany those preparing for ministry through prayer, encouragement and material support.
The bishop acknowledged the economic pressures facing Malawians but urged Catholics not to abandon their responsibility to support vocations. He described difficult circumstances as a test of Christian faith and generosity, encouraging the faithful to contribute according to their means.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe currently has 66 seminarians in formation, according to Laity Council Chairperson Patrick Liphava, who presented the figures during the fundraising event.
Nine seminarians are at Kasina Formation Centre, 25 at St. Anthony’s Kachebere Major Seminary in Mchinji and 16 at St Peter’s Major Seminary in Zomba.
The remaining 16 are studying in Spain, Latvia, Austria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and at the Inter-Congregational Institute (ICI) in Balaka.
Liphava said seminarians at Kachebere and St Peter’s require MK1.6 million (approximately US$922) per year in school fees alone.
He said the Church had traditionally relied on overseas benefactors to help meet formation costs, but such support is no longer readily available, making contributions from local Catholic communities increasingly important.
Liphava proposed an “Adopt a Seminarian” initiative through which families, Small Christian Communities, organisations and parishes could pay a seminarian’s fees for one semester or a full year.
He also appealed to Catholic organisations and movements to participate in the initiative, alongside individual donations and pledges.
The fundraising effort aims to help meet immediate education costs while strengthening the Church’s capacity to prepare priests for future pastoral service.
Bishop Mwakhwawa urged Catholics to make prayer for vocations part of their Christian lives, reminding them that supporting seminarians is a way of participating in the Church’s mission and helping prepare those who will serve future generations of the faithful.
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