St Victor’s Catholic Major Seminary, Tamale, has opened its 2026–2027 formation and academic year with an inaugural Mass during which seminarians at different stages of formation received the cassock and were instituted into the ministries of Lector and Acolyte.
The Eucharistic celebration, held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, was presided over by Most Rev. Philip Naameh, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale and Head of the Board of Governors of St Victor’s Major Seminary.
He was joined by Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier, Bishop of Damongo, and priests serving as formators at the seminary for the celebration.
A significant moment of the Mass was the reception of the cassock by seminarians in their fifth year of formation.
Seminarians in their sixth and seventh years were also instituted into the Ministry of Lector and Ministry of Acolyte, respectively, marking important stages in their journey towards priesthood.
The homily was delivered by Rev. Fr Fidelis Angsotinge, a formator at the seminary, who reflected on the theme, “Listen to His Voice and Harden Not Your Heart.”
Fr Fidelis urged the seminarians to remain committed to the truth, even when doing so brings difficulties, suffering or personal sacrifice.
Drawing lessons from the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, he highlighted their willingness to proclaim the truth despite opposition and persecution.
He also pointed to John the Baptist, whose fidelity to the truth ultimately cost him his life, as an example of courage and steadfastness.
Fr Fidelis illustrated the message with the story of a woman who was transferred from one school to another and later transferred again because she remained firm in defending what she believed to be right.
The example, he said, demonstrated that standing for the truth can sometimes come with challenges and personal sacrifices.
For seminarians preparing for priestly ministry, he stressed the need for courage and faithfulness when confronted with difficulties and hurdles.
The formator also encouraged the seminarians to cultivate patience and warned against being quick to condemn others for their mistakes.
He reminded them of the Christian call to forgiveness and reconciliation, urging them to listen to God’s voice and remain open to His guidance.
The seminarians were encouraged to approach others with patience, forgiveness and love as they continue their formation for service in the Church.
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