27/08/2026
🙏🏾 INAUGURATION OF THE 2026–2027 FORMATION & ACADEMIC YEAR
The 2026–2027 Formation and Academic Year at Ss.John Fisher and Thomas More National Seminary Chishawasha, was officially inaugurated in an atmosphere of prayer, thanksgiving and renewed commitment to priestly formation.
The inauguration began with the Holy Mass celebrated by His Lordship Bishop Eusebius Nyathi, placing the new formation year into the hands of God and seeking His grace to guide the seminarians, formators and the entire seminary community throughout the year.
In his homily, His Lordship gave the seminarians a profound challenge: “Learn to listen in order to be humble.” He reminded them that true formation requires a heart that is open, docile and willing to receive correction.
The Bishop encouraged the seminarians to accept weakness and failure as opportunities for growth and also cautioned them against always becoming defensive when corrected. Growth requires humility, self-awareness and the courage to acknowledge areas that need to be strengthened.
Reflecting on the example of St Paul, a man who worked tirelessly for the Gospel, the Bishop challenged the seminarians not to be lazy. Formation should never produce lazy priests, but men who are committed to putting effort into their spiritual life, intellectual development, social maturity and pastoral skills.
He further reminded the seminarians that while Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool, it should never replace personal study, critical thinking, discernment and genuine formation. A priest must be formed to know, live and faithfully teach what the Church teaches.
As a new year begins, the call is clear: be docile, listen, work hard, accept correction, grow through weakness and allow seminary life to bear fruit.
May this formation year be a fruitful journey of becoming men who are deeply rooted in Christ and prepared to serve His Church with humility, knowledge, pastoral charity and dedication. 🌱🙏🏾
