I am because we are

By Edmond Nyoka
September/October 2010

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There are many school dropouts in Malawi. If you ask them why they dropped out their answer is usually the same, “I lacked support.” This lack of support can be financial, not having enough money for school fees or other material needs, but sometimes it is emotional or psychological. It’s important to have someone that you can talk to, someone who encourages you. It’s important to know that someone cares about you and about your future. As a seminarian, I recognize the need for support—to have someone whom I can share with, someone who is praying for me, someone who encourages me during tough times.

In 2003, I entered Christ The King Formation Centre in Rumphi as a first step in my studies toward priesthood. I had curiosity and enthusiasm, but I was filled with doubts and weighed down by uncertainties, wondering if I was making the right decision.

The resource teachers at the Centre played a big part in helping me to decide whether priesthood was to be my lifetime vocation. I felt encouraged by their words such as, “Chiuta wamuchemani; zomerani na mtima wose.” (God has called you; accept God’s calling wholeheartedly.) These words helped me make my decision to continue to discern priesthood.

Scarboro missionary Mary Olenick, our English and Life Skills teacher, must have known that the way to priesthood involves more than academics. She never stopped encouraging us while we were at the Philosophical Seminary for three years and then at the Theological Seminary. I especially remember her words to me, “Edmond, God would not call you and then leave you to fail. God will continue to guide you.”

Words of great wisdom indeed. Mary has been a source of inspiration to the seminarians and to me in particular, giving me the feeling that I am not on this journey to priesthood alone. Her words helped me to persevere.

The motto of our Christ The King Formation Centre is, “It takes the whole village to raise a child.” I have learned that the support that was given to me has had a very positive impact in my life and has helped me to keep focused on what I’m doing and where I’m going.

There is an African Chichewa proverb (Chichewa is a language spoken in Malawi and other parts of Africa) that says when a visitor comes, he or she can help you do something that you could not do yourself. The proverb can be literally translated as, “The visitor travels with a sharp blade.” I hope someday I can stand up and say, I am because we are; I am a priest through the grace of God because we are a people who stand together to help each other and work together to do the will of God.

Support is necessary in life. I thank God for all the people who have been and continue to be that support for me. A special thanks and farewell to Mary who returned to Canada, her homeland. I say to her, “Amoyo salekana” (the living never part).

In May 2010, Edmond Nyoka was ordained as a deacon in Malawi.

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