By Neocatechumenal Way – The Redemptoris Mater Missionary Formation House of the Archdiocese of Cape Town joyfully welcomed Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka – a significant moment of ecclesial communion and a concrete expression of the shepherd’s fatherly care for those preparing for the priesthood.
Addressing the seminarians, Archbishop Sipuka first expressed his appreciation for the Neocatechumenal Way and its charism, recognising it, together with other ecclesial movements and realities, as an expression of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit among the People of God.
In particular, he highlighted the contribution of the Way to the life of the Church through its missionary zeal, commitment to evangelisation, emphasis on Christian formation, and the generosity of those who make themselves available for the mission of the Church.
Encouragement to Seminarians
At the heart of his message, however, was a personal word addressed to each of the seminarians. The Archbishop expressed his appreciation for each one of them, recognising the seriousness with which they are discerning the possibility of being called by the Lord to the priesthood.
Leaving one’s home, family, language and familiar surroundings in order to make oneself available for the service of the Church, he noted, requires faith, generosity and courage. Such a choice deserves admiration, respect and encouragement.
The Archbishop therefore encouraged the seminarians to continue responding faithfully to their vocation, entrusting to the Lord the way, place and circumstances in which it will ultimately be lived out. He invited them to remain close to the Lord through prayer, to take their studies seriously, to grow in fraternity and to approach their vocational discernment with honesty and openness.
At the same time, he emphasised the importance of remaining open to the Church and to the path that she, through her pastors and the various ecclesial realities, may indicate.
The Archbishop also invited the seminarians to pray for the Archdiocese of Cape Town, for its people, its priests, greater unity within the ecclesial community, and for new local vocations to the priesthood. He also asked them to pray for him personally, that the Lord may grant him the wisdom, courage and charity necessary to serve the Archdiocese faithfully.
Archbishop’s Gift
The visit concluded with a simple yet meaningful gesture of gratitude. Before his departure, the Rector Fr Juan Jesus Prats, together with the other formators, presented the Archbishop with a painting on papyrus depicting the Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family.
Fr Juan Jesus said: “The image of the Holy Family on a journey, guided by God’s providence even through uncertainty and exile, thus became a particularly meaningful sign for a missionary formation house: an invitation to allow oneself to be guided by the Lord with trust and openness along the path of one’s vocation and service to the Church”.
The Archbishop’s visit left the community of Redemptoris Mater with a deep sense of gratitude and renewed encouragement. It was an opportunity to experience concretely the beauty of ecclesial communion and to be reminded that every vocation is born, grows and is fulfilled within the Church and for the mission of the Universal Church.
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