Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Liturgical and theological literature for future priests

There are presently 20 young men from the Diocese of Bokungu-Ikela who are training for the priesthood at various seminaries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Their diocese, which covers an area of just over 40,000 km², is roughly the same size as Switzerland or the Netherlands but has less than one million inhabitants. It is located in the midst of the tropical rainforest in a very poor region of the country that sadly has also been the theatre of a string of armed conflicts. Since there is no seminary in their own diocese, these seminarians must travel miles, by boat and by motorcycle, to reach their various places of study.

But their diocese must still cover the cost of their training, upkeep, travel, and everything else they need, since their families can contribute little to nothing themselves. This represents a massive challenge. But Bishop Toussaint Iluku Bolumbu is nonetheless delighted at the number of vocations and writes: “With the large number of young men currently in training, in years to come, our diocese will have a plentiful number of workers in the vineyard of the Lord.”

Last year, the seminarians from Bokungu-Ikela wrote to us, explaining their need for religious literature—Bibles, breviaries, catechisms, and theological literature—and requesting our support. “We face great financial problems in pursuing our studies, since we are almost all from very poor families. And so we are addressing this request to all people of good will, seeking help to obtain the vital liturgical and academic literature that we require to deepen our formation. Please look kindly on our appeal! Fraternally united with you, in Christ.”

As always, our benefactors responded generously to this appeal from the seminarians—which came with the warmest support of their bishop—by donating $21,420. The arrival of several large parcels of books has been cause for great rejoicing! One of the seminarians, Léonhard, has written to us on behalf of them all: “We are immensely grateful to you for all you have done for us. We send you our heartfelt thanks for this great gesture of charity towards us and we beg the Lord to bestow upon you all the graces you need.”