The
S outhern C ross
April 1 to April 7, 2015
Making a difference – with cupcakes
Reg No. 1920/002058/06
Page 9
No 4918
www.scross.co.za
Spotlight on the Durban Passion Play
Page 10
The Editor and staff of The Southern Cross wish all readers, advertisers, Associates, pilgrims, supporters, contributors and friends a blessed Easter filled with the hope and joy of our Risen Lord.
R7,00 (incl VAT RSA)
Jerusalem: ‘My home and yours’
Page 7
Seminary is full – but cost of training rises BY STUART GRAHAM
T
The risen Christ is represented at the culmination of the Stations of the Cross at San Giovanni Rotondo in western Italy. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher)
For further info or to book contact Michael or Gail at 076 352 3809 or 021 551 3923 info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za/ poland-2016/
HE number of men called to study for the priesthood has been rising steadily at St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria in the past three years—but so has the cost of educating the young seminarians. Seminary rector Fr Molewe Machingoane said it takes around R28 000 a semester to train a priest at the seminary in the suburb of Waterkloof. “The money mostly comes from the diocese of the seminarian, but there is also a very small subsidy from Rome. Ninety percent of the cost is carried by dioceses themselves,” he said, adding: “It is expensive to train a priest.” Fr Machingoane said around 116 men are currently at the seminary, with 28 others doing pastoral internships at parishes. “Over the last three years our numbers have been going up,” he said. “Sometimes we have a huge intake. There are some dropouts, due to reasons of formation. Some of the young men discover it is not their way. We also ask certain people to rethink when we see it is not their way.” The rising numbers of seminarians was behind the construction of a new residence block for students in June last year. “The expansion was done to accommodate the growing number of seminarians,” Fr Machingoane said. “We have a target of about 180 seminarians, which the bishops set. When we reach that we will see what other plans have to be made. By around 2017, if we stick to projections, we will hold around 150.” Around 12 or 13 seminarians graduate from St John Vianney each year, after their seven and a half years of training. “They go out in phases, but generally we have between 12-13 each year. “The majority do finish their studies, but we do have dropouts in the range of about 20 or so.” Most of the young men entering the seminary are school leavers from South Africa's villages and townships. “Some come here with a strong matric;
St John Paul II Pilgrimage to Poland Southern Cross
Christ’s Resurrection is depicted in a mosaic at St John Vianney seminary, Pretoria. (Photo: Fr Chris Townsend) others with a poor one. Most of them are from their own diocese. We have a mixed bag of seminarians,” Fr Machingoane said “They represent the typical youth we see today. They face the same challenges that a young person would experience. Some would come from single-headed families and there would be others who would come from solid [traditional] Catholic families,” he explained. “Our task is one of helping them shape lives in terms of Gospel values and to begin to prepare them to be ministers. Most would have been inspired by priests at home,” he said. Fr Machingoane said the young men may have been exposed to formation in their parishes through youth structures. Some of them may have been products of programmes in their parish where they have vocation camps and teams. Priests who care for and nourish their communities generally attract vocations. “The experience of the washing of the feet that a young man would experience in his own parish and a priest who is generally a pastor who loves, cares for and nourishes his community attracts vocations,” Fr Machingoane said. “Many young people see this as an ideal life,” he added.
A journey to the places of St John Paul II’s life and devotions, led by a Bishop who knows Poland intimately.
Led by Bishop Stan Dziuba 13 - 21 May 2016
Kraków | Wadowice (on St John Paul II’s birthday) | Black Madonna of Częstochowa | Niepokalanów (St Maxmilan Kolbe) | Divine Mercy Sanctuary | Warsaw | Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (with miraculous icon) | Zakopane | Wieliczka Salt Mine (with Mass!)