Seminarians Gather as Pilgrims of Hope: Deepening Discernment in the Call to Priesthood By. Fr. Johnston Mlambo In a spirit of faith, discernment, and communal growth, seminarians from the Archdiocese of Harare convened at Our Lady of the Rosary Minor Seminary, Rothwell Farm, for a transformative three-day workshop in December 2024. Held under the theme "Deepening Discernment: Exploring the Call to Priesthood," the workshop strengthened the seminarians' spiritual, emotional, and pastoral formation. Considering that 2025 is the Jubilee Year of Hope, the insights and formation gained are essential for helping them make the most of this sacred time. The workshop commenced on Friday, December 13, with a powerful talk by Jacob Shamuyarira from Pamvuri Trust, who courageously shared his journey as a recovered drug addict. Shamuyarira warned the seminarians about the dangers of drug and substance abuse, a growing societal menace. His candid testimony served as a sobering reminder of the potential pitfalls that even future priests must guard against. Following Shamuyarira, Fr. Maseko offered a heartfelt talk on priestly formation, emphasizing love for God and His people as foundational. “You cannot be a priest if you do not love God and His people,” he stressed. Fr. Maseko also underscored the importance of a deep love for the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, and urged seminarians to abandon worldly habits that may hinder their spiritual growth. On Saturday, December 14, Sr. Yvonne Sanyanga led a crucial session on mental health. She began by inviting the seminarians to reflect on God’s criteria for calling individuals to serve. “God calls people as they are—with their limitations, weaknesses, and even sins,” she noted. Sr. Sanyanga emphasized that no one is immune to mental illness, not even those called by God. She defined mental health as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” She outlined the causes of mental illness, including family history, misplaced goals, negative life experiences, environmental exposures before birth, brain chemistry imbalances, and a lack of self-acceptance. Sr. Sanyanga also highlighted the characteristics of good mental health, such as expressing emotions in healthy ways, stress management, decision-making, and being optimistic. Conversely, she identified signs of poor mental health, including emotional withdrawal, pessimism, denial of problems, and difficulty accepting change. She warned seminarians of the dangers of unresolved mental health issues, which could lead to substance abuse, depression, diluted faith, and anger issues. Her suggested solutions included openness to the Holy Spirit, sharing feelings with trusted individuals, stress management, and adopting positive communication techniques. The second session was facilitated by Mrs. Busi Chindove, the chairperson of the pastoral council of the Archdiocese of Harare, who addressed the role of the faithful in the Church—a particularly relevant topic in light of the just-ended synodal process. “We are used to working in silos with defined spaces,” she said, “but with synodality, we are encouraged to journey together, bringing our talents in a 'bring and share' model.” Mrs. Chindove outlined several key responsibilities of the faithful: • Supporting bishops, priests, and religious in their vocations. • Ensuring no one is left behind as the Church adopts a synodal approach. • Raising children with strong moral values despite challenging family dynamics. • Shunning social ills like corruption and living exemplary lives. • Sourcing resources for the education and upkeep of seminarians. • Participating in politics to build a just and peaceful society. • Assisting in safeguarding issues within the Church. Quoting Cardinal Kevin Farrell, she emphasized that some responsibilities, such as economic administration and civil law matters, are better handled by the laity. The day culminated with a Mass celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu. In his homily, the Archbishop encouraged the seminarians to remain faithful and shun distractions that could derail their vocation. “I have always told some seminarians,” he shared, “there are some good seminarians who came to me and said, ‘I have come to let you know that after praying and thinking about this, I feel that I should go.’ I always told them, ‘You will be a successful person. You have the courage to discern and have come to the point where you realize that this is not your vocation because you know what is good for you and what is not.’” He emphasized that discernment continues until ordination. “Once you are ordained, it will be difficult to leave. Yes, some things may happen after ordination, but getting ordained while knowing that this is not your vocation is a situation that must be avoided,” said the Archbishop. He also acknowledged that discernment is a continuous process. “If any of you comes to the realization that priesthood is not your vocation, have the courage to step away and pursue what God has truly called you to,” he advised. “It takes courage to discern and admit that priesthood is not for you. But once you are ordained, it becomes difficult to leave.” After the Mass, the seminarians participated in games and entertainment, fostering camaraderie and joy as they continued their journey as pilgrims of hope. The workshop at Our Lady of the Rosary Minor Seminary was not just an event but a significant step in the ongoing formation of seminarians. As the Church journeys through the Jubilee Year with the theme of Pilgrims of Hope, these young men are reminded of their call to bring hope to their communities and the world. Through spiritual guidance, practical teachings, and communal support, they are being shaped into future leaders who will walk with the faithful as beacons of faith, love, and hope.