By Fr. Johnston Mlambo
Since the official launch of the Jubilee Year 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” various groups within the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe have embarked on pilgrimages to shrines and sacred sites designated by their dioceses and deaneries.
Each edition of the Catholic Church News magazine this year has highlighted such pilgrimages—among them, journeys by the Sodality of Mary and the St. Anne Association to Ekuhlengweni, and the youth of the Archdiocese of Harare to the Ngome Marian Shrine in South Africa.
Seminarians, too, have taken their place in this sacred journey of faith. Students from Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More National Seminary in Chishawasha and Sacred Heart Pre-Major Seminary in Mazowe made a Jubilee pilgrimage to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Archdiocese of Harare.
Although the Jubilee for Seminarians is officially scheduled to be celebrated in June this year in Rome, financial and logistical constraints, especially during their vacation period, made international travel difficult. Following a recommendation by the ZCBC Seminary Commission, the two institutions opted to hold their pilgrimage locally.
The day began with a scripture reading outside the Cathedral, in front of the Door of Hope. This was followed by the Jubilee Prayer, after which the seminarians and their formators processed reverently through the Holy Door into the Cathedral.
Inside, they listened to an insightful and spiritually uplifting talk by Fr. George Hama, CSsR, Dean of the Inner-City Deanery. The talk was followed by Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The pilgrimage concluded with the celebration of Holy Mass, marking the end of a meaningful day of recollection.
Both teaching and administrative staff from the two seminaries were present.
“It would have been good to also bring our ancillary staff, but unfortunately, we could not bring everyone,” said Fr. Bernard Mukwewa, Rector of Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More Seminary.
He emphasized the importance of the pilgrimage:
“This pilgrimage is valuable for seminarians because the Jubilee is for the whole Church—and they are part of that Church. They also need to benefit from the indulgences attached to this holy year. Moreover, as future priests, they may one day be required to lead pilgrimages, so this is formative.”
Fr. Mukwewa added that the seminary has been integrating Jubilee-themed content into its formation programme through talks, recollections, and by following the Jubilee Calendar.
Fr. Rongai Chasarira, Rector of Sacred Heart Pre-Major Seminary, echoed these sentiments:
“Our programmes at Mazowe revolve around the theme Pilgrims of Hope, but this pilgrimage stands out as a significant moment in our observance of the Jubilee.”
The seminarians themselves described the day as prayerful and grace-filled.
Richwell Chibune, Beadle of Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More, found the talk particularly impactful:
“The day went well. The talk was very reviving. We also had the opportunity to go to confession—and not to our formators, which can be difficult for many of us.”
“Having the recollection in a different environment was refreshing. Meeting fellow seminarians from Mazowe was another enriching experience.”
The Beadle of Sacred Heart Pre-Major Seminary, Munashe Kondo, shared similar reflections:
“The talk was very insightful, and the overall mood of the day was deeply prayerful.”
“Meeting our brothers from Chishawasha was motivating. It’s always affirming to spend time with others who share your vocation.”
Currently, Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More Seminary hosts 94 seminarians—50 in Theology and 44 in Philosophy. Among them are two from the Diocese of Francistown and four from Karonga Diocese in Malawi. In addition, 19 students represent religious congregations including the Redemptorists, Carmelites, and Franciscans.
When asked what draws students from outside Zimbabwe, Fr. Mukwewa remarked:
“People from outside appreciate the quality of formation and education offered here in Zimbabwe.”
In his talk, Fr. George Hama, invited the seminarians to begin with a moment of gratitude for what God had done in their lives and to pray for a hopeful outlook toward the future.
He unpacked the theme “Pilgrims of Hope Rooted in Prayer” using Leviticus as a reference. According to Fr. Hama, the Jubilee Year has three key meanings:
- – “A time to stop, to rest the land, our behaviours, and our attitudes.”
- A Year of Providence – “In the Old Testament, everything ceased during the Jubilee. People depended entirely on God’s providence.”
- A Year of Renewal – “It was a time for people to return to their ancestral lands, to reconcile with their families, cultures, and values.”
Quoting Leviticus 25, he described the blowing of the trumpet as a symbolic act declaring a “Year of the Lord’s favour.”
Fr. Hama further described three types of pilgrimages in Christian tradition:
- Physical pilgrimage – A journey to a sacred place, like the one the seminarians had just undertaken.
- Internal pilgrimage – A journey of the heart through prayer and meditation.
- Allegorical pilgrimage – Representing the Christian journey as a whole, a longing to return to God.
He concluded by encouraging seminarians to adopt St. Ignatius of Loyola’s “agere contra” spirituality, which advocates for acting against one’s usual inclinations in order to grow spiritually:
“Deliberately choose to resist what pulls you toward sin.”
This pilgrimage, rich in prayer, reflection, and fraternity, gave the seminarians a lived experience of the Jubilee spirit—strengthening them in their formation and reaffirming their call to be true pilgrims of hope.