What is the Catholic Priesthood?
In Matthew 9:36 we hear that Jesus looked with pity on the crowd because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He was sad to see so many people in his day that had no one to teach them about the love of God. That problem has never fully gone away, but the priesthood is God’s gift of shepherds for his people today.
For so many people, the priestly shepherd is the living example of God’s love in their lives. He is with them to baptize their children, watches those same children grow and form their own families, even with them in death as a loving and consoling presence, and through joys and sorrows as the good shepherd who walks with them on their journey toward God, also a reminder that there is more to life than our basic material needs. The priest is the regular, humble witness to the truth that only God will make us fully happy.
What does
the Program Do?
The CWM Seminarian Support program focuses in a special way on missionary priests, men who work as God’s priestly shepherds in remote territories, places where people may have never heard of Jesus, or places where poverty and hopelessness are extreme. These seminarians, once they are ordained as priests, will be sent all over the world to proclaim the love of God and serve those in great need.
Who does
the Program Support?
When you support seminarians and priests, you are joining–in a very real, powerful way–in the work of Jesus to bring His love to the world through His priests.
When you support these seminarians and priests in particular, you are sending a spark of hope directly to the parts of the world that need it most.
Diocese of Wiawso
Ghana
Yeboah Sampson
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A seminarian of St. Paul’s, first heard the call to be a priest as an altar server at his home parish in Bonsu Nkwanta. Encouraged by the solid catechetical foundation that he learned from his father and parish community, Yeboah decided to pursue a vocation to the priesthood. Now, confident in God’s grace, Yeboah seeks to discern, understand, and authenticate his calling.
Luke Gyebi
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A second-year Philosophy seminarian at St. Paul Catholic Seminary. Luke was drawn to the priesthood after witnessing the reverence with which his late parish priest vested for Mass. Though Luke thoroughly enjoys the human aspect of priestly formation (particularly sports!), he has an even greater desire to excel in the spiritual, moral, and intellectual pillars. Luke believes that the Church needs “True Catholic” priests who are not afraid to celebrate beautiful liturgies, adore Christ, and form the rest of humanity.
Richmond Kwaw
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Richmond Kwaw, 21, hails from the small village of Enchi, where he was brought up in a humble Catholic family of six. After a priest recommended seminary to him, Richmond jumped on the opportunity to deepen his faith, continue his higher education, and inspire future generations. Luke knows that the seminary is the one place he can continue on his journey to the priesthood and the bedrock upon which he can be further molded into the likeness of God.
George Tano
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George Tano is a seminarian in the diocese of Wiawso currently studying in his third year of Theology. At the young age of 9, George was inspired to become a priest by watching his parish priest celebrate daily Mass for the entire community. George has an ardent desire to save souls, dedicate his life to serving God and others, and evangelize to his own people.
Diocese of Jowai
India
The Diocese of Jowai is still a very young diocese, but already the harvest is plentiful. The diocese has 31 seminarians, including two deacons, in formation. These men study at seven seminaries operated by other dioceses until Jowai has enough resources to have its own seminary. Most of these seminarians come from very poor families. Here are three of their stories.
Sambha Kyndait
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Sambha, 27, comes from a family of 10. Growing up, the family practiced a tribal religion but today, Sambha and one of his siblings is Catholic. Sambha was baptised in 2006, at the age of 15. It was on that day that he felt the call to the priesthood. His desire to become a priest continues to this day. He is hardworking, devout, sincere, and polite.
Click here now to help Sambha and seminarians like him today!
Donbok Pakma
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Donbok, 25, is the oldest of three children. His father died when Donbok was just eight years old. His mother, consumed by grief, was no longer able to raise her children, who were each sent to a youth hostel. Providentially, Donbok was sent to a hostel operated by priests, where he lived for several years. Now in his seventh year of formation, he is about to begin his regency period, where he will receive all the practical training he needs to be a holy and pious priest.
Click here now to help Donbok and seminarians like him today!
Daleiki Shylla
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Daleiki, 26, comes from a family of 11 children (he has seven brothers and three sisters!). In high school, he realized he wanted to become a priest. But when he first shared this with his family, they told him they couldn’t support him. When he graduated from high school, he went on to college. He worked during the day and took classes at night in order to support himself. Once again, he felt the tug toward seminary. Now in his fourth year of formation, Dalieki is respectful, obedient, devout, and hardworking.
Click here now to help Daleiki and seminarians like him today!
Diocese of Sindhudurg
The Diocese of Sindhudurg is a missionary, poor, rural diocese in southwestern India. The total population of the diocese is 5,365,706 with 29,794 Catholics. While the Diocese of Sinhudurg is fairly young–it was formally erected on July 5, 2005–great fruit is already being borne here.
Richard Fernandes
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Richard, 24, grew up in a supportive and devout Catholic family where he was involved in altar serving and became inspired by the lives of the priests and seminarians in his parish. After joyfully accepting his vocation to join the priesthood, Richard completed seven years in formation where he studied Zoology and Philosophy, completed a year-long pastoral experience at a Clergy home, and assisted a neighboring Catholic school. Now, it is his eighth year information where he is studying Theology.
Click here now to help Richard and seminarians like him today!
Lloyd D’Souza
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I come from a middle-class family who lives with the fear of God. When I was a child, my parents sowed the seed of priesthood in me, and ever since then, my childhood dream was to be a priest. As I journeyed along in life, the seed began to grow, even though I was caught up with worldly pleasures, which challenged my vocation. However, soon after my tenth grade, I realised the joy of being a priest, and I recognised that the worldly pleasures are only temporary, as compared to the eternal happiness of heaven. I then decided to enter the seminary, and now, I am on my journey towards the priesthood.
Click here now to help Lloyd and seminarians like him today!
Gabriel Fernandes
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After completing my high school in 2013, I began discerning about the priesthood. I took it up in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and discussed it with my family too. They were very supportive of me joining the priesthood. I then expressed my desire to join the priesthood to Bishop Alwyn Barreto who then accepted me as a seminarian for the Diocese of Sindhudurg.
Click here now to help Gabriel and seminarians like him today!
Benwen Lopez
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I first received my calling when I was completing my final semester at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and I always believed that God called me to serve my home country, India. However, I put my decision on hold and returned to the corporate world after graduation. I worked as an Assistant Editor in Dubai for a business magazine. But although I was exposed to the corporate world, the flashy lifestyle, with tons of opportunity to make a lot of money, I felt a void in my heart. I turned again to the idea that maybe I was called to the priesthood. After an 18-month discernment program, I resigned from my job, and joined the Diocese of Sindhudurg. Surely it was a challenging and tough decision for me to take, but it was the intensity of God’s presence in the Eucharist that drew me to the priesthood. For me the Eucharist is everything.
Click here now to help Benwen and seminarians like him today!
Diocese of Kurunegala
Sri Lanka
The Diocese of Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, currently has 12 seminarians in various stages of formation. Each of these young men comes from a poor family, but each one’s faith and desire to become a priest is truly an inspiration.
We’ve worked with the Diocese of Kurunegala since 2017, and we’ve worked closely with Bishop Harold Perera on several projects. We first met Bishop Perera when he visited Atlanta last fall. He has a true love for God, a strong devotion to the Eucharist, and cares for the people of his diocese with a truly pastoral heart.
As education costs increase across the board, the Diocese of Kurunegala must absorb greater expenses to educate its seminarians.
Deacon Rick Medina (left), CWM executive director, and Bishop Harold Perera (right), August 2017.
“We are truly blessed to be able to educate our seminarians, but with this blessing comes tremendous responsibilities. We are turning to you, trusting you to help us train up our seminarians, so that they can become priests and serve the suffering people in our country.” – Bishop Perera
Meet Some of the Seminarians of the Diocese of Kurunegala:
Malinda Priyanath
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Malinda Priyanath, 19, entered minor seminary in 2016. He has one older brother. His father works as a print operator and his mother works as a postmistress. His faith inspires his commitment and drive to pursue the priesthood.
Click here now to help Malinda and seminarians like him today!
Keshan Fernando
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Keshan, 17, has one older sister and one younger brother. His brother suffers from physical disabilities, so Keshan’s family is unable to support his studies for the priesthood. In spite of this, Keshan faithfully applies himself to all of his classes without complaint or hesitation. Your support of Keshan and his fellow Sri Lankan seminarians will allow him to share the love of Jesus with the community once he is ordained.
Click here now to help Keshan and seminarians like him today!
Joseph Himasha
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Joseph, 21, is the youngest child in his family. He has two older sisters. Although his family is very poor, Joseph has always seen this as an opportunity rather than a hurdle. Your generosity today will allow him to fulfill his dream of becoming a priest.
Click here now to help Joseph and seminarians like him today!
Congregation of the Holy Spirit at the Manila Theological House
The Manila Theological House in the Philippines is home to brothers a part of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit who desires to spread God’s love and strengthen the Church’s presence in Asia.
The house currently hosts nineteen brothers who strive to serve the Church by creating bridges between people and provide for material and spiritual care.
Your generosity will go directly toward adding bathrooms in the seminarians’ dormitories. These young men’s families support their formation as much as they can, but they simply do not have the money to cover major costs like these.
Currently there are 2600 members in The Congregation of the Holy Spirit and work in 60 countries all over the world.
We have the opportunity to give nineteen brothers dignified living spaces in the Manilla Theological House.
Father Joseph Phùng Mạnh Tiến
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“To spend four years in the Formation House Community in Manila … shaped my attitude of service, respect for others, and missionary spirit.”
Society of Africa
Society of African Missions (known as “SMA” because of their Latin name, Societas Missionum ad Afros) was founded in 1856 by Bishop Melchior de Marion Bresillac.
Vocations are booming for SMA fathers, with more than 300 seminarians at various levels of formation at five campuses in Nigeria, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Zambia, and Benin Republic. After being ordained, these men will be missionaries throughout Africa. There are already 109 SMA priests in Africa.
With so many young men in formation, the SMA fathers have great difficulty supporting them. The seminarians come from poor countries and poor communities that can offer very little financial support.
As Fr. Frank McGrath, SMA, told us, “The harvest is great, laborers are willing, but their formation is suffering for want of funds.” YOU can help today!
Meet some of the SMA seminarians below:
James Israel,
SMA
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Originally from the Philippines, James first entered the seminary in June 2014. After years of studying philosophy, he decided to leave the seminary and pursue a career at a marketing company. James began to regret his decision not too long afterward, and referenced St. Augustine of Hippo to describe how he was feeling at the time: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”.
“There was a call within me that I needed to respond to.”
After deliberately praying about this call, James decided to submit an application letter to the Society of African Mission Priests (SMA). He then received a positive response and moved to West Africa to join the seminary. It was a joyful yet difficult time for him as he adjusted to the seminary in the Republic of Benin. Everything was new to him including the people, language, food, and culture. However, experiencing all of these new things all at once helped James to be open-minded while learning and living in an international community.
“I was able to deepen my relationship with Jesus Christ who is the source of my vocation and the very model of a missionary priest.”
Deacon Cornelius Omini, SMA
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Deacon Cornelius Omini, SMA, entered religious life with the Society of African Missions in 2011. But his vocation as a missionary priest was ignited when he was a child, when he served as an altar server at his home parish. He tells us,
Ours is a diocesan parish, but religious priests are often invited to help on Sundays. I recall that one weekend we had a visit from a Nigerian SMA priest, Fr. Cajetan Metu. During his homily that Sunday, he greeted the people in five different international languages and immediately I fell in love with this priest and was eager to know about his congregation.
After Mass I approached him. His simplicity, while listening to my pressing questions, impressed me. It was through him I got to know the Society of African Missions and I wished to join.
When Deacon Cornelius entered in 2011, he learned about the SMA’s founder, Bishop Melchior de Marion Bresillac. Deacon Cornelius says, “His zeal and enthusiasm for the mission moved my heart, so that I too could give my life, leave home and family, for the sake of the work of God.”
Of his time with the SMAs, Deacon Cornelius says,
I have no regrets […]. I have felt love and acceptance from colleagues and priests in the SMA. This is a source of inspiration and blessing for me, my family, and my local church. I live every day with gratitude to the SMA and I continually commit myself to the service of God’s people as I prepare for missionary priesthood.
I ask you to remember me in your prayers.
Deacon Yakubu Sabo, SMA
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I am Salisu Yakubu Sabo, third born in the family of eight children. I am Hausa by tribe, although we are also called Maguzawa on account of our faith. Maguzawa literally means “those who ran away from Islam.”Although I felt called to the priesthood right from childhood, and even though my first parish priest was an SMA, I never really knew what SMA was until 2016 when Fr. Patrick Kwis, SMA, the vocations’ Director for northern Nigeria, visited our school and spoke about the SMA Missionary Vocation. That was the time I got to know the meaning of the initials I saw after the name of my former parish priest, Fr. Michael Waters, SMA. My desire to be a priest, and subsequently, an SMA, was greatly inspired by the exemplary life of service and dedication I saw in Fr. Michael Waters, SMA. As a child, I did not really know what the priesthood meant, but all I wanted was to be like Fr. Waters.My happiest moments as a seminarian are those occasions when I find myself in the areas of primary evangelization. They remind me of how much somebody sacrificed for me to be what I am today; and this always motivates me to be a missionary priest. I am the fruit of the missionary activities of the SMA and today I desire to be a seed that will germinate and bear more fruit among other people.
Deacon Abel Yashim, SMA
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Growing up, many of the SMA priests Abel knew were from Ireland. The Catholic Church began evangelization in his hometown many years ago. Among those first early missionaries were SMA priests.
I was touched by their simple and dedicated lives and so have opted to dedicate my life to serve humanity through the missionary activity of the Society of African Missions (SMA). I wish to continue the legacy received from the Irish missionaries I knew in a place that I do not yet know.
Deacon Abel will complete his studies in Nairobi next year. He will be ordained in his home parish in the middle belt of Nigeria and then appointed in another country for his missionary work.
St. Francis de Sales
The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales live humbly while studying the priesthood. These men studied for years without proper electricity, would walk miles to share their studies and evangelizing in the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman, and hand-pick rice for their meals.
Now thanks to your help things are a little easier there.
Since 2014, you’ve helped the MSFS seminarians by bringing electricity so they could continue their studies at night. You bought bicycles so they could reach more people in the archdiocese. And thanks be to God, you gave them a tractor!
Click here to learn more about the MSFS brothers.
Our commitment to seminarians through financial aid and other assistance started in 2014 when, through your generosity, we were able to help the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales in Bastora, India. You’ve made it possible for the MSFS novices remodel parts of their campus, buy bicycles for transportation to and from class and ministry outreach, buy a generator for electricity so they can study at night, and you’ve even helped them buy a tractor so they can more easily harvest crops for food and profit. Click here to learn more about all the ways you’ve helped MSFS. Enjoy the photos below!
Legionaries of Christ
Founded in 1941, the Legionaries of Christ now has 961 priests worldwide and 617 seminarians. A Legionary studies and trains for 13 years before he is ordained to the priesthood. Legionaries are sent as missionary priests to serve in many countries, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Poland, Italy, Israel, South Korea, Ireland, and the Philippines, among others. Their charism is to form Catholic leader-apostles who will in turn transform culture. Meet three Legionaries, all in different stages of formation.
Fr. Sameer Advari, LC
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Fr. Sameer, 36, has been a priest for two-and-a-half-years. Born in Berlin to a half German/half Indian mother and an Indian father, Fr. Sameer has lived in Dubai, Canada, the United States, and has lived in Rome for nearly a decade.
Inspired by his parents’ fidelity to the faith (his father was a Hindu and had to move after converting to Catholicism), Fr. Sameer says “God called me in a very special way: He prepared the ground and then when the time was right, respecting my freedom asked, ‘Will you come follow?’ Looking back, the most astonishing thing is not just that He asked but that He also gave me the strength, courage, and peace to respond, ‘Here I am, Lord.’
“There is no joy greater than that of being a priest. It is a joy of belonging to God and being His instrument, a joy in seeing God touch the lives of so many people through me, a joy which the world does not know and cannot give, a joy which is a foretaste of eternal life.”
Rodrigo Oliveira
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Rodrigo, 20, is currently in candidacy for the Legion. He will formally enter the novitiate in August 2018.
Rodrigo is from Brazil, where he was inspired by his parents’ mutual love for each other and the Church. In high school, he began to have the sense that there was something greater he could do for God. Over the years, this little inkling grew into a desire to give all for Jesus and to enter religious life as a Legionary of Christ.
Br. Darren Wallace, LC
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Br. Darren is from the south of Ireland, where he and his family raised their own sheep, chickens, bees, and vegetables. This experience taught Br. Darren the value of hard work. Currently in his seventh year of formation, Br. Darren tells us that his vocation grew gradually over time. The first spark came when he was just 10 years old: the thought that “many people might live and die without ever knowing Christ, or might not have access to the sacraments.”
For Br. Darren, the purpose of his formation is very clear: “I am in formation to be an apostle of Christ, to learn how to help guide souls to God and to be their spiritual father, to bring Christ to every corner of the world, and to be a missionary priest wherever our Lord sends me.”
He tells us that his greatest reward and greatest challenge in seminary is the same: “to open and allow myself to be formed into the ‘treasure in clay,’ a missionary vessel, existing to give glory to God, and carry God into the world.”
Little Way Messangers
Another order you’ve helped is the Little Way Messengers, also of India. Their founder, Fr. Balappa Selvaraj, has an incredible story. Click here to read it and learn more about how you’ve helped Little Way Messengers!
A Car for Retired Priests in Cancun!
May 2023
The Anahuac Community of Retired Priests in Cancun, Mexico has been blessed with a car for transportation thanks to your selfless giving! This car helps the senior priests be able to have transportation so they may go to the doctor to receive medical treatments and consultations. The residence is in Cancun, Mexico established by the Legion of Christ, to ensure the elderly religious enjoy a safe, modest retirement. The twenty priests that live in the community are grateful for your support!
A New Clergy House in Ghana!
February 2023
Thanks to your generosity, the retired priests of the diocese of Wiawso can have a place to live after decades of faithfully serving the community and beyond. The clergy house will also allow the neighboring parishes to receive assistance from the retired priests for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Marriage, and Baptism.
On behalf of CWM and our long-time partner, Msgr. Simon Assamoah, Vicar General of the diocese of Wiawso, thank you for caring for the many priests who dedicated their lives to serving the Church.
Seminarians from the Diocese of Jowai are Thriving Thanks to You!
Spring 2020
Thank you for Supporting Seminarians in Africa
December 2019
We just heard from Fr. John Dunne, SMA, in Nairobi, Kenya. He had great news to share, and much gratitude for your generous support. Here’s what he had to say:
“Greetings from Kenya! I write this note to wish you a very happy Christmas and hope it will be filled with peace, joy and blessings.
Presently we have forty one students living in the formation house and all are studying in the nearby Tangaza University College. A small number are studying Philosophy as we want all our students to do their Philosophy in their home countries. So here we have 14 students from Kenya and Tanzania doing Philosophy which is a three year programme. There are presently 27 students studying Theology, which is a four year degree program.
Our students come from 12 different countries so it is truly an international community. They come mainly from Africa and then India and one from Slovenia. We have decided to form out students in international settings as they will have to live in such communities once they are ordained and appointed to mission. Our formation team is also international.
I write in particular to thank you and all who have contributed towards the generous gift of $6,000 that has been sent to support 20 SMA seminarians for one year, while they are pursuing their studies here. This donation is much appreciated and I would like that the benefactors will hear through your office that we are truly grateful.
We had seven young men from this formation house in Nairobi who were ordained to priesthood in 2019. In all there were 20 ordained to priesthood in the SMA this current year. There are four deacons who will hopefully be ordained priests with their class mates from other houses in 2020. There are presently eight men who are Acolytes and should be ordained to Diaconate in 2020.
Our students and the formation community pray each day for our benefactors; so be assured that we do not forget! Please remind the generous donors that they too are part of our prayers and thanks.
I conclude by saying once again THANKS to all.
Have a blessed Christmas season.”
Thank you for all you’ve done to make these seminarians’ study possible.
