Our Seminarian from Mto Wa Mbu
Brother Alberto Msindai is a sponsored pre-seminarian enrolled in Saint Charles Luwanga Seminary. Alberto is sixteen and from Mto Wa Mbu. He began pre-seminary work in January 2017 after completing Standard 7 in Mto Wa Mbu.
Alberto and 66 other 12 - 17 year old boys attend the pre-seminarian school located about 62 miles from Mto Wa Mbu in a region called Usa River. The pre-seminarian school is housed at a Nigerian parish run by Father Victor Ashwa. Matthias is the Head Teacher. It is a perparatory school which provides the first year of pre-seminary work for young hopeful boys. In order to become a priest in this area, one must complete:
- one year of preparatory school
- six years of secondary school
- one year of formation
- three years of philosophy
- four years of theology
After schooling, the seminarian completes one year of pastoral care and serves six months as a Deacon. Finally, he receives his Holy Orders and becomes a priest.
The daily schedule at Saint Charles Luwanga Seminary consists of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Scripture Studies, Civics, English, Formation, Literature in Swahili, and Latin. School runs from 9:00am until 3:10pm from Monday through Friday. The pre-seminarians' day begin at 5:00am with an hour of private study followed by morning prayers and Mass from 6:00-7:00am. This is followed by chores from 7:00-9:00am.
The boys enjoy soccer, basketball, table tennis, and volleyball as leisure activities on the the weekends.
Support a Seminarian
Saint Charles Luwanga Seminary tuition is $311 (700,000 Tanzanian Shillings) per year and lodging/supplies are $578 (1.3 million TS) per year. For only $889, you can support a pre-seminarian for an entire year.