St John Vianney Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Pretoria held a farewell ceremony on Friday, 30 October, to bid farewell to three formators and 11 final-year theology seminarians. The ceremony included a Mass of thanksgiving, farewell speeches, a poem, a musical performance by the seminary choir, and a presentation of altar cloths and ambo linens by the departing seminarians. Priests serving at the seminary and in the Archdioceses of Pretoria and Johannesburg attended the event.
Father Tebello Moeti of the Diocese of Kroonstad reflected on the importance of completing the work God begins in each person during his homily. He drew on St Paul's words to the Philippians, "May he who began the good work in you bring it to fulfilment." Father Moeti, one of the departing formators, expressed gratitude to God for bringing their respective journeys to completion. He compared the journey of formation to building a house, writing a book, or running a race.
Father Moeti encouraged the departing seminarians to persevere in their vocation and remain faithful to the work entrusted to them. He reminded them that each person brings unique gifts that cannot be replicated. Father Moeti paid tribute to Father Jerome Nyathi's passion for spiritual formation and Father Sbongiseni Msomi's contribution to academic formation. He urged the seminarians to embrace a priesthood rooted in availability and service, drawing on the Gospel account of Jesus healing on the Sabbath.
Father Jerome Nyathi, originally from the Archdiocese of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, was ordained in 1991 and has served in parishes and seminaries for 35 years. He was appointed to St John Vianney Seminary in 2012 at the invitation of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference to assist with priestly formation. Father Nyathi described his experience of accompanying seminarians as deeply rewarding, particularly witnessing their personal and spiritual growth.
As a spiritual director, Father Nyathi's ministry involved accompanying seminarians in their interior lives and helping them navigate personal struggles and wounds. He expressed confidence that the departing seminarians would serve their dioceses faithfully. Father Nyathi reflected on the importance of synodality, describing it as a journey of moving together, with each person having a particular role to play at a given time.
Father Sbongiseni Msomi of the Diocese of Mariannhill joined the seminary in 2018 as a formator and was appointed communications officer and secretary of the formation staff. He lectured in liturgy, homiletics, and pastoral supervision, preparing seminarians for their pastoral placements. Father Msomi said that accompanying others through formation had also become a journey of formation for him, challenging him to confront his own weaknesses and recognise his strengths.
The 11 final-year theology seminarians were honoured as they prepared to return to their respective dioceses to await ordination. Their departure marked an important milestone in their formation, bringing years of academic, spiritual, and pastoral preparation to a close. As a gesture of gratitude, the seminarians presented the seminary with altar cloths and ambo falls, leaving behind a tangible reminder of their time at St John Vianney.
Key points
- The farewell ceremony for the formators and seminarians was attended by priests from the Archdioceses of Pretoria and Johannesburg.
- Father Tebello Moeti urged the departing seminarians to persevere in their vocation and remain faithful to the work entrusted to them.
- The departing seminarians presented the seminary with altar cloths and ambo falls as a gesture of gratitude.
