Mangochi, January 12: The Kachebere Major Seminary in Mchinji has clocked 75 years in its service of preparing young men into priests for the Catholic Church across the country.
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has since announced in a statement that the Church would on Saturday, January 10 preside over the Eucharist Celebration marking the official inauguration of the seminary’s Jubilee Year at its premises.
Kachebere Major Seminary, also known as St. Anthony Major Seminary, a philosophical college under the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, opened its doors on 10th October in 1939.
ECM’s Communications Officer Prince Henderson told Malawi News Agency-Mana that Bishop of Karonga Diocese Reverend Martin Mtumbuka, who is also Bishop Chairman for Seminaries is expected to lead the Church in the celebration.
According to Henderson, all Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic Church in Malawi are expected to attend activities marking the official commemoration of Jubilee Year.
“The Seminary is the way through which young people are formed and prepared for priesthood. Although not many people who pass through the corridors of the seminary become priests, the institution forms and prepares numerous people to become future leaders and servants of the people of God in various sectors of life in society,” he observed.
Henderson the Kachebere Seminary initially served as a regional seminary for the vicariates in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and Nyasaland (now Malawi).
“Today seminarians to the institution come from the eight dioceses of Malawi namely; Karonga, Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Dedza, Mangochi, Zomba, Blantyre and Chikwawa.
According to Henderson, the Jubilee year commences on 10th January 2015 and will run until 10th October 2015. Both the opening and closing days will have a Eucharist Celebration.
“Several activities are expected to be carried out within the Jubilee year such as pilgrims to the seminary by the lay faithful, workshops and seminars on the Catholic Church’s teachings,” he said.
“In addition, there shall be fundraising events, Eucharist celebration and kicking start of development projects that will aid the seminary in income generating for self sustenance.”
“We expect all those who have gone through this seminary to actively support the planned activities. Similarly, many Christians out there have also in one way or another been beneficiaries of Mother Kachebere. We expect them to be part of this Jubilee year,” Henderson emphasised.
