Have you ever read the book; “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” – by C.S. Lewis? This book was one of my childhood favourites, and I recently re -lived a particular scene from this timeless classic. C.S. Lewis sets the scene in 1940, where four siblings (Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie) are among many children evacuated from London during World War II to escape the bombings. They were sent to the countryside to live with professor Digory Kirke. In this story the children did not know what to expect, and as they drove up to the professor’s house they could only but wonder.

On the 2nd of October at 21:45 I officially started my seminary formation, as I drove up to the Seminary I could only wonder what lies ahead. I felt like one of the children of C.S. Lewis’ chronicles, filled with trepidation, but yet wide-eyed and full of hope for the future. Its definitely not easy leaving one thing behind and starting a new. But this is different.

When you think about it, it sounds very weird that 18 young men have decided to live together, and seek God’s will for there lives; ready to give up everything and follow Him if He is calling. But it is true, this place does exist. Just like Lucy who discovers a magical kingdom at the back of a wardrobe, I feel that I am discovering a new aspect to life. One that includes community living, regular prayer, intellectual and human formation, and service to others.

This decision to join the Seminary has taken me some time, and after many years of discernment I am finally here. Although I must admit that seminary life  takes a lot of getting used to (especially waking up at 5:30am to make sure you are in time for morning prayers), not withstanding I do feel that I belong. I am daily in awe that 17 other young men are seeking God’s will for their life. The seminary is extremely  diverse, we  each come from different backgrounds and ideas, but yet we are all united in seeking God’s will, and our willingness to serve one another brings us together.