Today as I joined in the Seminary manual labour, a discussion arose on how some persons see seminarians, priests and Deacons as people who do not work. Basically most people believe that these group of persons only pray and do nothing else but pray. It might surprise you that, that's not the case.
The seminary is a nursing ground for young men who wants to be trained for the Catholic priesthood.
- ACADEMIC FORMATION
The period of study last for at least 10 years in the Nigerian church. 1year of spiritual year(postulancy). 4 years of philosophical studies, 1 year of pastoral assignment, and for we the religious another 1 year of novitiate, 4years of theological studies.
The above picture shows how exams are written in seat of wisdom seminary where I study. That picture was actually taken during my first degree exams in philosophy. There is another patter of examination taken in the Seminary called the Oral exams. This exam is carried out in this formant, the seminarian comes face to face with lecturer and picks any paper before him, whatever question written on the sheet of paper will be what the seminarian will discuss about after which the lecturer scores him.
2: SOCIAL FORMATION
Seminarians are trained to be social because the most part of their work as priests will be to interact with other people, thus the seminary program is designed to help build the social lives of the seminarian. First of all the seminarians work.
"There is dignity in labour;" so says the encouraging slogan of the committed worker. Which is why the seminary rules states, "to work is to pray". The above is picture is of seminarians on manual labour, clearing the grass.
And as it is said "all work no play makes Jack a dull boy." We engage in sporting activities too. I can go on and on but just to mention two amongst allot of social activities.
- PASTORAL FORMATION
Throughout the 10 years formation periods, seminarians are posted during holidays to parishes for apostolic/pastoral work to gain administrative and pastoral experience. - SPIRITUAL FORMATION
this is the most common amongst all, the one arm of formation most people think seminarians participate in. Yes, seminarians pray and are involved in various retreats especially on every first weekends of the month.
I have succeeded in boring you all with the Seminary programs but this boring programs are the key to shopping Catholic priests and I am lucky to have benefited from such program. Out of the 10 years formative years, I am left with 4 months to round off so I earnestly need your prayers to persevere to the end. The journey is indeed not easy. Thanks for reading. Cheers