Studying towards the priesthood requires a leap of faith and dedication, but it bring great rewards. Br George Thomas Kochumalil reflects on his joy in being a seminarian.
Having spent most of my life in South Africa — growing up in Limpopo and schooled in Pretoria — and now in my ninth year of seminary formation, I often find that people are curious about what it’s like to be a seminarian, to be in priestly formation and actively discerning the call to the Catholic priesthood.
As a young boy, I was always fascinated by priests — their calm demeanour, their way of speaking, their quiet confidence. I often wondered: “What makes them so special?” Over time, I came to realise that priests are not born different; they are ordinary men called to an extraordinary mission.
A priest was once a seminarian with a calling. A seminarian was once a boy with a dream planted by God. That boy is someone’s son, brother and friend — living among our families, schools, universities and parishes.
People sometimes lament that there are fewer priests and seminarians today. Yet Christ himself chose only 12 Apostles to change the world. We need not focus merely on quantity but also on quality — the calibre of men being formed in Christ’s image. When we pray for vocations, let us not only pray for more, but that those who are called may respond faithfully. The Good Shepherd will never abandon his flock.
God Calls the ordinary
God calls the unqualified and makes them capable through grace. St John Vianney, the humble Curé of Ars, once said: “The priest is not a priest for himself; he is for you. After God, the priest is everything.”
If the priesthood is so vital, then the formation of a priest is truly a sacred trust. The African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”, resonates deeply with me. In the same way, it takes a family — the domestic church, the parish community, the diocese, and the universal Church — to form a good priest. in many ways, a seminarian is God’s project, slowly perfected through prayer, penance and grace.
Seminary life is not about becoming someone else — it is about becoming more fully the person God created you to be. For me, that means being George as Christ desires George to be.
There are moments of doubt, weakness and unworthiness, yet God’s words echo constantly in my heart: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Prayer is the lifeblood of seminary life. There are days when prayer flows easily, and days when it feels like a struggle — and that’s part of the journey. As seminarians, we are called not to perfection but to perseverance.
And yes, we are ordinary young men too — we play sports, make music, laugh, and live life fully. As St John Bosco reminded his boys: “Run, jump, shout — but do not sin.”
The Triple-H
The world today needs bold men — men willing to be countercultural, to stand for truth, justice and peace. A seminarian must see the world through Christ’s eyes: with compassion for the suffering, mercy for the sinner, and love for all people.
Being a seminarian means surrendering one’s own plans to God’s will, allowing him to mould and shape us as he desires. St Aloysius Gonzaga, the young 16th-century Jesuit, expressed it beautifully: “I am a piece of twisted iron; I entered the religious life to get twisted straight.”
In formation, our focus must remain fixed on Christ alone. No priest, bishop or pope can replace that. A seminarian should strive to become a “Triple-H” priest — Honest, Humble, Holy — an alter Christus, another Christ. When people encounter a priest, they should be able to say, “I have seen Christ in him.”
My seminary life
Seminary life has not only met but far exceeded my expectations. It has broadened my understanding of what it means to be a Christian disciple — to live as a light in the world, a witness to God’s love.
Yes, there are moments of loneliness, temptation and struggle. The door to leaving always remains open. But how can one walk away from the table where God’s desire for your life is laid before you, and Christ himself sits beside you, waiting for your “Yes”?
To anyone discerning a vocation, my advice is to take that leap of faith. Shock the world by choosing Christ in a culture that often rejects him. The best way to journey forward as a seminarian, or as anyone following a vocation, is to let go of your expectations and trust in God’s providence. His plans are always greater than our own.
If you ever meet me and ask what it’s like being a seminarian, I would say this: “It’s not easy. It’s challenging. But it is so worth it. It is a gift — a sacred, life-changing blessing.”
At its core, being a seminarian means being a beloved child of God — one who is learning, slowly and humbly, to become more like his Son, Jesus Christ. To become a Good Priest with qualities of a Good Father, Brother and Son to all.
Br George Thomas Kochumalil is currently studying theology in Rome. He is also a co-host for a Catholic podcast, “Tea with Thomas”, which shares the Syro-Malankara Catholic perspective (https://t.ly/MIVJd).
Published in the April 2026 issue of The Southern Cross Magazine
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