Vibrant in Spirit, Strong in Mission: Highlights from Mwendakulima's Remarkable 2025 Year

 1. Visitations
Visitations are a cherished aspect of seminary life, representing a vital connection between the seminarians and the broader Christian community. They serve as signs of encouragement, solidarity, and love from the People of God. Throughout the year, we welcomed various visitors including clergy, religious groups, and lay faithful who came to share moments of fellowship, prayer, and support. One particularly memorable visitation was from the seminarians and formators of St. Paul the Apostle – Kipalapala Major Seminary. Upon arrival, they were warmly received by our community and participated in friendly matches of football, volleyball, and basketball. This joyful day also coincided with a significant event in the universal Church; the Annunciation of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025. The visitation left a remarkable mark, reinforcing the sense of fraternity and unity among these two seminaries.

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2. Chapel Extension
Though our current chapel is temporal, it has undergone significant extensions over time to meet the growing needs of the seminary community. These expansions were essential to ensure that all seminarians and formators could worship comfortably and meaningfully, especially during communal liturgical celebrations. The current state of the chapel now better accommodates our liturgical life, offering a more solemn, dignified space for the Eucharistic celebrations, Liturgy of the Hours, and other spiritual activities. This development is a clear sign of growth and dedication to fostering a strong spiritual environment, while we continue to pray and plan for the construction of a permanent chapel in the future.

Photo: Frt. Wilson Massawe
 
3. Jubilee Cup
The Jubilee Cup was organized to commemorate the 40th anniversary of priestly ordination for Msgr. Pius Rutechura and Fr. Kevin Haule, celebrated on January 23, 2025. The day began with a solemn and joyful Mass presided over by the Rector, Very Rev. Msgr. Pius Rutechura, with the homily delivered by Fr. Kevin. In his moving homily, Fr. Haule recalled the early days and the founding vision of the seminary. He reminded all seminarians of the importance of self-discipline and dedication in their formation, urging them to take their vocation seriously and to prepare themselves to be good and faithful servants of God and His people. In the spirit of joy and unity, the day also featured a final match for a short sports league involving four regional teams; Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern. The friendly yet competitive matches brought much excitement, with the Southern region team ultimately winning the Jubilee Cup. The entire celebration was a fitting tribute to two devoted priests and an inspiration to the younger generation.

Photo: Frt. Hyacint Luoga
                                          

4. Caritate Cup
The Caritate Cup is the seminary’s annual official sports league, fostering community spirit and physical wellness among seminarians. The competition involves class-based teams competing in various sports, primarily football and volleyball. This year, the tournament showcased great skill and teamwork. The Second Year Theology class emerged victorious in football after a series of intense matches, while the Third Year Philosophy class won the volleyball championship with an outstanding performance. The Caritate Cup is not just about competing but about building fraternity, discipline, and healthy recreation as part of the seminarians’ integral formation.

Photo: Frt Bulolo

5. Ministry of Lectorship and Cassocks’ Day
On November 18, 2024, the Seminary celebrated two important formation milestones: the Blessing of Cassocks for First Year Philosophy students, and the conferral of the Ministry of Lectorship to the Second Year Theology seminarians. These ceremonies were led by the Rt. Rev. Christopher Ndizeye the Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Kahama, in a deeply spiritual celebration. The cassock blessing marks a new stage in the journey of the seminarians, symbolizing commitment, identity, and readiness to grow in service. Meanwhile, the Lectorship Ministry is a key step in preparing future deacons and priests to proclaim the Word of God and serve the Church. The celebration was both solemn and joyful, reminding all of the sacredness of the path to ordained ministry.

Photo: Frt. Emmanuel Nguvu
              
6. Small Christian Communities (SCCs)
Small Christian Communities form an essential part of the spiritual life and fraternity within our seminary. Every Monday, seminarians gather in their assigned communities to pray together, reflect on the Scriptures, and share in one another’s joys and struggles. These communities provide a supportive environment that strengthens bonds of brotherhood and accountability. Occasionally, the SCCs organize special events such as shared meals and cooking together to mark feast days or significant moments. These experiences foster deep relationships and a lived experience of Church as communion, an important preparation for pastoral ministry in parish settings.
Photo: Frt Melchizedek Ezra
 
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