St John Vianney Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Pretoria bid farewell to three formators and 11 final-year theology seminarians on Friday, 30 October.
The farewell ceremony brought together priests serving at the seminary and in the Archdioceses of Pretoria and Johannesburg for a Mass of thanksgiving, followed by farewell speeches, a poem, a musical performance by the seminary choir and a presentation of altar cloths and ambo linens by the departing seminarians.
In his homily, Father Tebello Moeti of the Diocese of Kroonstad reflected on the importance of completing the work God begins in each person, drawing on St Paul’s words to the Philippians: “May he who began the good work in you bring it to fulfilment.” Father Moeti, who was among the three departing formators, said the occasion was an opportunity to thank God for bringing their respective journeys to completion. “Today, we thank God because we have finished what we started. We acknowledge that if it had not been for God, we would not have finished the race,” he said. He compared the journey of formation to building a house, writing a book or running a race, explaining that the effort invested in beginning something finds its meaning in bringing it to completion.
Reflecting on the ministry of St Paul, Father Moeti noted that the apostle did not simply establish Christian communities and abandon them. He continued to nurture them through personal visits and letters, encouraging believers, correcting errors and strengthening them in times of difficulty.
The priest then encouraged the departing seminarians to persevere in their vocation and remain faithful to the work entrusted to them. He also reminded them that although others would follow in their footsteps at the seminary, each person brought unique gifts that could not be replicated. “God has created every person with unique gifts and qualities that have enriched this house of formation in a way that no one else can,” he said. Father Moeti paid tribute to Father Jerome Nyathi’s passion for spiritual formation and Father Sbongiseni Msomi’s contribution to academic formation, acknowledging the distinctive roles they had played in the life of the seminary.
His message to the seminarians extended beyond completing their studies. As they prepared to return to their respective dioceses and await ordination, he urged them to embrace a priesthood rooted in availability and service. Drawing on the Gospel account of Jesus healing on the Sabbath, Father Moeti challenged them not to allow personal convenience to prevent them from responding to people in need. “Do not be a priest, God willing, who is only available to people by appointment,” he said. He added that priesthood was not merely a career or something a person did, but an identity shaped by the example of Christ.
A ministry of accompanying future priests
For Father Jerome Nyathi, the farewell marked the end of a chapter that began when he arrived in South Africa in 2012 at the invitation of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference to assist with priestly formation. Originally from the Archdiocese of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, Father Nyathi was ordained in 1991. Throughout his 35 years of priesthood, he has served in parishes and seminaries, spending much of his ministry accompanying young men preparing for the priesthood. His initial appointment in South Africa was for three years, but this was extended as the need for his services continued. After taking a sabbatical in the Diocese of Queenstown, where he served at Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in the Eastern Cape, Father Nyathi was appointed spiritual director at Saints John Fisher and Thomas More Seminary in Chishawasha, near Harare, Zimbabwe.
Reflecting on his years in formation, he described the experience of accompanying seminarians as deeply rewarding, particularly when witnessing their personal and spiritual growth. As a spiritual director, his ministry involved accompanying the seminarians in their interior lives and helping them navigate personal struggles and wounds. He said it was a joy to see young men gradually grow in confidence and courage, and to encounter former students who had gone on to serve in important positions within dioceses and at national level. Although he acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with beginning a new chapter, Father Nyathi said he had accepted his new appointment in the belief that he still had something to contribute to priestly formation. He also 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. Wishing the departing seminarians well, he expressed confidence that they would serve their dioceses faithfully.
Formation that transforms the formator
Father Sbongiseni Msomi of the Diocese of Mariannhill also reflected on how his years at St John Vianney had shaped him personally and spiritually. He joined the seminary in 2018 as a formator and was also appointed communications officer and secretary of the formation staff. He lectured in liturgy, homiletics and pastoral supervision, preparing seminarians for their pastoral placements. Following further studies, he returned in 2022 and subsequently served as registrar, examinations officer and academic dean. Father Msomi said that accompanying others through formation had also become a journey of formation for him. “While you are accompanying others in formation, you are also formed yourself,” he said, explaining that the experience had challenged him to confront his own weaknesses, recognise his strengths and become more aware of God’s presence and grace in his life. As he prepared to leave, he highlighted two lessons that had shaped his ministry: the importance of focusing on the assignment entrusted to him and the value of continuity.
He said ministry was not simply about changing everything that had been done before, but about recognising and continuing the good work of those who had served previously. Father Msomi wished the seminarians and the wider Church in Southern Africa well as they continued the work of preparing men for the Catholic priesthood.
A new chapter for the seminarians
The 11 final-year theology seminarians were also 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 while opening the way to a new chapter of service. 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.
The ceremony also included farewell speeches by Ncedo Wellington Siwundla, a poem by Father Nyathi and a mini-concert by the seminary choir. For the departing priests and seminarians, the farewell was both an ending and a beginning, a moment to give thanks for the journey completed and to entrust the road ahead to God.
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