As we regularly do during their holidays, a few days' ago, the seminarians of the diocese of Manzini came together for a morning with the bishop.
The diocese has six seminarians. Three of them are at the very beginning of the journey which is done at St Francis Xavier seminary (Cape Town). The other three are at St John Vianney seminary (Pretoria).
The first year - where three of them are at present - is a year that "introduces" them to the journey and it is very different from the following one. It is a time to strengthen their knowledge of the English language. They are also introduced to "research skills and methodology". Both very much needed for their studies.
Their formation is not just intellectual and therefore they are introduced to other dimensions of the journey: human growth, faith development, spirituality, liturgy and integrity in ministry.
Two of our seminarians at St John Vianney, took these holidays to prepare for next year's "internship", a time when they will not be at the seminary but in one of our parishes. In this case, one will be placed at Good Shepherd Parish (Siteki) and the other one at Mater Dolorosa Parish (Mbabane).
The last one will be finishing his studies next May and will be back in our diocese.
