Our History
brief history
Redemptoris Mater of Kampala
The Redemptoris Mater Semianry of Kampala is a house of formation dedicated to forming future priests for the New Evangelization of the Church in Uganda and and beyond.
The story of our seminary begins with in 2011 with a request from Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala, who inspired by charism of the Neocatechumenal Way, expressed his desire to establish a Redemptoris Mater Seminary in his diocese. This vision, fueled by a deep commitment to fostering vocations and nurturing future priests, quickly gained momentum.
In September 2013, the international team of the Neocatechumenal Way officially approved the establishment of the seminary, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Church in Uganda. The first group of seminarians, a diverse and dedicated group of men from various backgrounds and nations, embarked on this journey of formation under the guidance of the esteemed Don Venanzio Pasotti, our first rector.
The Beginnings
The seminary’s journey has been marked by growth and transformation, both in terms of its physical space and the vibrant community it has fostered. From its initial temporary location in a spiritual retreat center and a Comboni Fathers’ hospitality house, the seminary found a more permanent home in a rented house closer to the archdiocesan seminary.
Over the years, the seminary has undergone significant renovations, thanks to the tireless efforts of our rector, Don Venanzio Pasotti, and the generous support of our benefactors. The once modest house has transformed into a beautiful and welcoming space, complete with a chapel, a dedicated study area, and comfortable living quarters for our seminarians.
Seminary Formation
The success of our seminary lies not only in its physical infrastructure but also in the dedicated team of formators who guide our seminarians on their journey of faith and service. From the very beginning, the seminary has been blessed with a dedicated team of priests who have generously shared their knowledge, experience, and spiritual wisdom with our seminarians. Don Venanzio Pasotti was our founding rector, played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for our seminary.
Other dedicated formators have joined our team over the years, including Father Charles Kaweezi, our non-resident spiritual director, and our current rector, Fr. Santiago Martin, and vice-rector, Don Leonard Denis Walugembe.
Seminarians
Since its inception, the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Kampala has welcomed seminarians from various nations, fostering a vibrant and enriching community of faith and learning. Today, our seminary houses seminarians from 8 different nations, including England, Italy, Costa Rica, Peru, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda. The variety of nationalities helps these young man to be formed with a missionary spirit to server the local Church and anywhere in the world.
God's Providence
The Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Kampala stands as a testament to the faithfulness, providence, and love of God. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our benefactors, the guidance of our formators, and the openess of our seminarians.
As we continue the mission of announcing the Gospel, we remain committed to our mission of forming future priests who are deeply rooted in faith, equipped with knowledge, and ready to serve the Church in Uganda and beyond.