Jubilations as Nyenga Seminary marks 100years.

Jubilations as Nyenga Seminary marks 100years.

St.Joseph’s seminary Nyenga celebrates 100 years since it’s foundation at the Seminary Grounds. The 100years celebration took place on 16th March 2024, at Nyenga, Lugazi Diocese.

It started with Holy mass at 10:00am that was led by H.E Luigi Bianco the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda as the main celebrant accompanied by other different bishops and priests representing various parishes and Dioceses all around Uganda.

During the Mass, the main celebrant Nuncio Bianco encouraged Christians to come back to the Lord.Basing on the readings of the day, he emphasized renewal of Christian lives and called upon Christians to change and come back to the Lord.”Repent and draw closer again to the Creater especially this Lenten Season”, he Emphasized.

He continued and said that Christians should change their mind and come back to the Lord because God is abundant in mercy, forgiveness of sins, giving support in doing good things.

Jubilating upon the days celebration, He expressed his gratitude to the people who have supported the seminary in many ways and said, ” This celebration is an occasion to express gratitude to the many people who have given a contribution to the seminary during the years; the missionaries of Mill Hill, the Bishops, formators, teachers, religious and lay staff members’’. He also thanked the families of the minor seminarians or students for the overall utmost support towards their children’s success and well-being in the seminary.

Archbishop Luigi highlighted the purpose of the seminary to the Congregation by explaining that the purpose of Minor Seminary is to assist the human and Christian growth of adolescents, who manifest the seeds of vocation to the ministerial priesthood. He explained that the proper and deep formation during the time of adolescence is important and challenging.

H.E Luigi Bianco also said that seminary is blessed to have St. Joseph as her heavenly Patron and explained that St. Joseph is the Patron of the Universal Catholic Church who teaches the Christians to increase their love, faith and to be obedient to the Lord and to our fellows.

Rev.Fr. Eugene Safari the Rector appreciated all people of God for supporting this marvellous celebration. He explained why the seminary has been able to stand the test of time for 100 years; the answer is simple and crystal clear, ‘’it was founded on a rock, Jesus Christ’’. He further said the Mill Hill Missionaries founded St. Joseph’s Seminary Nyenga on the gospel values namely, Faith, love, hope, truth, honesty and hard work as exemplified by their motto, ‘’ Quantum Possum’’.

Present at the function was the Chief Guest Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Bishop Dominic Eibu of Kotido Diocese, Bishop Serverus Jjumba of Masaka Diocese, Bishop Emeritus Matthias Ssekamanya of Lugazi Diocese, Bishop Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi Diocese, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja and Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of Kampala Archdiocese.

During this celebration, there was also the blessing and opening of the Seminary’s Centennial building led by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, a building that will serve as a memorial of the 100 progressive years.

Nyenga Seminary administration led by the rector gave out awards to different individuals who have contributed in an extraordinary way towards the 100 years journey of the Seminary.