The alumni of Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary (BIROCOL) have continued to be a shining light, spreading the Gospel and serving as true agents of evangelization across the world. This was the central message of the homily delivered by the Bishop of Buea during the opening Mass to officially launch the seminary’s diamond jubilee celebration.
The Mass, which took place at the cathedral in Small Soppo, Buea, on October 4th, 2024, brought together students, formators, ex-students, and parents of BIROCOL. During the homily, the Bishop recounted the seminary’s history, emphasizing that what began as a small institution has grown into a beacon of excellence, with all the Bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province proudly calling it their alma mater.
Procession during Mass
The local ordinary of Buea also reminded the audience that this celebration is occurring within the context of the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Buea. He urged students, alumni, and parents to continue proclaiming the Good News of God, which aligns with the theme of the diocese’s anniversary celebration.
Reflecting on a reading from Ecclesiasticus 3:17-24, the Bishop encouraged those present to serve the Lord with humility, noting that humility is the foundation of prayer and the mother of all virtues. “Our wish is that all seminarians, parents, priests, and Christians at large take on the duty to serve the Lord in the spirit of humility,” he said. He emphasized that humility allows for effective dialogue and peaceful co-existence.
Cross section of BIROCOL students during Mass
Drawing inspiration from the teachings of St. Paul, the Bishop urged Christians to face their daily challenges as Christ would, reminding them that the yoke of Jesus symbolizes obedience and listening to God in the circumstances of their lives. “When we follow Christ, we take His yoke upon ourselves,” he added.
The Bishop also took time to express gratitude to the ex-students for their unwavering love and sacrifices for their alma mater. “Thank you for all the projects you have carried out at the seminary,” he said, highlighting that their efforts have contributed to improving the study conditions for current students.
In addition, he congratulated both the teachers and students of Bishop Rogan Seminary for achieving a 100% pass rate in both the GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level exams. He encouraged them to continue striving for excellence, urging the formators and students to “make this year even better and give me the diamond jubilee results.”
The national president of the BIROCOL Ex-Student Association, speaking at the event, thanked the Bishop for his continuous support and pledged their commitment to further improve the learning environment at the seminary. He acknowledged that even those who did not become priests after leaving the seminary have made the world proud by evangelizing through their various professions such as medicine, engineering, and more.
National President of BIROCOL ex student association
The celebration of the seminary’s diamond jubilee is a testimony BIROCOL’s its rich legacy of forming agents of evangelization, dedicated to spreading the Good News and contributing to society in diverse fields.
