The inauguration event is normally scheduled at the very beginning of every academic year. It involves orienting the new comers to the order and regulations of the seminary community, and it is usually an official opening of the new academic year. It is the event which is normally prepared by the Seminary Academic Committee in close collaboration with the Rector’s office. The inauguration event which is an academic activity is usually attended by all members of the teaching staff and all students. The Rector of the Seminary is the head of the event. Three offices which are, the office of the General Spiritual Director, the office In-charge of Studies and the office of Discipline are usually given the forum a to address this academic convocation. Seminarians too are provided with the forum to air out their views concerning the new academic year.

In this year the inauguration day has not followed the normal schedule, as to be held at the very beginning of the new academic year. This is because the first-year fraters enrolled to Kipalapala Seminary in 2022/2023, reported on 28^th October 2022 instead of 30^th Sept. 2022 which is the traditionally accepted date for opening of the seminary (the last Friday of September each year). This was to give room for the finishing of the ongoing construction of the new hostel, in order to have a comfortable accommodation for seminarians. The inauguration event was therefore held on 10^th November 2022 in the seminary conference hall, and was attended by nine formators and all seminarians. The event began at 10:00am with an opening prayer and an introductory speech by Rev. Fr. Herman Kachema, the rector of the seminary.

The timetable was organized into three parts as follows: An introductory part which consisted of an introductory speech, along with introducing the whole seminary community on the basis of the sub-communities, like priests, nuns, workers, and seminarians. This year, Kipalapala Seminary has received a total of 310 seminarians; 119 first year, 100 second year, 40 third year, and 51 fourth year. Another part was for speeches and greetings from other priests. All priests had chances of addressing the seminarians, basing on their offices of administration in the seminary. They urged them to observe all that is necessary for the seminary formation. The third part of the timetable was for the seminarians to air out their views as far as the academic maters and the general seminary life is concerned.

The senior seminarian gave a speech on the event, representing the other seminarians. He expressed gratitude to the formators for being there for us. He also thanked them for all that is being done to let us have a conducive environment for both studies and formation. The SS asked formators to continue to fatherly accompany seminarians in their journey of formation. Before the closure of the inauguration activity, Rev. Fr. Rector gave a closing speech, in which he gave important clarifications and answers to the questions and suggestions from the seminarians. Fr. Rector thanked all for attending the inauguration event, urging all to observe all that has been defined as the order of our new academic year. A closing prayer was led by Rev. Fr. Elias Nada and the event was closed at 1:00pm.

(Reported by Frt. Godfrey Fredrick Mkwe)