St. Kizito's Pre-Major Seminary, Kenema

“Let us contend with all earnestness, knowing that we are now called to the combat. Let us run in the straight road, the race that is incorruptible.” – St Clement of Alexandria

Be a Winner today!

*Lord Jesus, help me to live the Beatitudes each day.*

1 Kgs 17:1-6; Ps 120 (121):1-8; Mt 5:1-12.

*Good Morning Friends* 🌅

Elijah prophesied a severe drought throughout the land. It gripped the land for three years and a half, and brought famine with it. Many people were dying of hunger.

Elijah sustained himself by the stream at the wadi Cherith, and was provided for by ravens bringing him food. Later when the stream dried up, he moved to Zarephath where a pagan widow provided for his care and food.

By doing this, she was the only person receiving mercy from God’s prophet. For us today, in difficult times we learn to help one another and to share, and at the same time, knowing and trusting in God that these difficult times will end if we are only patient.

The Beatitudes are thought by many to be too idealistic – impossible for people to live by in our modern world.

Ironically, they are the key to our survival and our flourishing as a people. Several of them stress aspects of humility, while others speak of gentleness, non-violence, compassionate empathy, and an unceasing strife for justice and righteousness.

Jesus alone lived these Beatitudes perfectly. But wherever they are practised, even imperfectly, the door to God’s kingdom opens and some of the divine light illuminates us.

Thus, the world changes, if even just a tiny bit. These divine principles are the keys of the kingdom. Let us always keep them in mind and strive to practise them each day.

PRAYER : *Lord Jesus, help me to live the Beatitudes each day*
Fr. John Gibaho Conteh

Daily Reflection

*Brief History of Saint Kizito's Pre-Major Seminary, Kenema*

Saint Kizito's Pre-Major Seminary is a Catholic institution for priestly formation located in Kenema. It serves as the common Pre-Major Seminary for the dioceses of both Sierra Leone and The Gambia under the supervision of the Inter-Territorial Catholic Bishops' Conference of The Gambia and Sierra Leone (ITCABIC).

The seminary traces its origins to the development of priestly formation in the Catholic Church of Sierra Leone during the 1970s. Initially known as St. Kizito's Junior Seminary, it provided secondary-level and vocational formation for young men discerning a priestly vocation. Over time, it evolved into a Pre-Major Seminary, focusing primarily on the spiritual, human, and pastoral preparation of candidates before they proceed to major seminary studies.

For decades, Saint Kizito's has played a crucial role in forming candidates from the dioceses of Kenema, Bo, Makeni, Freetown, and Banjul. Many prominent clergy and bishops of Sierra Leone and The Gambia passed through its formation program before continuing their philosophical and theological studies at St. Paul's Major Seminary, which was formerly located in Gbarnga, Liberia.

Among its distinguished alumni are Edward Tamba Charles, Charles Campbell, Henry Aruna and Bob John Hassan Koroma all of whom received part of their early priestly formation at Saint Kizito's.

Today, Saint Kizito's Pre-Major Seminary remains a vital center for nurturing vocations, providing a year of spiritual and human formation that prepares seminarians from The Gambia and Sierra Leone for further studies and eventual service as Catholic priests.

*Brief History of Saint Kizito*

Saint Kizito (c. 1872–1886) was the youngest of the twenty-two Catholic martyrs of Uganda. He was born in the Kingdom of Buganda (present-day Uganda) and served as a page in the royal court of King Mwanga II.

Kizito embraced the Christian faith after receiving instruction from Catholic missionaries and was baptized on May 26, 1886. During a period of persecution against Christians in Buganda, he remained steadfast in his faith despite pressure to renounce it. On June 3, 1886, at the age of about thirteen or fourteen, he was martyred together with other Christian converts at Namugongo.

His courage, faith, and youthful witness made him one of the most revered saints in Africa. In 1920, he and his fellow martyrs were beatified by Pope Benedict XV, and on October 18, 1964, they were canonized by Pope Paul VI during the Second Vatican Council.

Today, Saint Kizito is honored as a patron of children and youth. His feast day is celebrated on June 3 together with the Uganda Martyrs, whose example continues to inspire Christians throughout Africa and the world.
Br. Samuel Nyakeh Allieu

Happy Birthday

Part of the Feast Day Celebration