From the Diocese of Soroti, in eastern Uganda, to Pamplona, where today he is trained as a seminarian Ugandan, the story of Samuel Ebinu is that of a vocation that wants to become a priest; that is not born of an inspiration or an extraordinary moment, but of faith lived naturally, in the family and in his parish community.
Thanks to the help of the partners, benefactors and friends of the CARF Foundation, Samuel is preparing for the priesthood at the Bidasoa international seminar, convinced that God continues to call everyone from the smallest.
Samuel (1996) has been living in Spain for four years. He is in his final year of theology and is preparing to receive the priesthood. His formative path has brought him to Pamplona, where he studies in the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra and resides in the Bidasoa International Seminary, but his roots remain firmly anchored in his homeland and family.
«I'm looking forward to serving the Church as a priest,» he says serenely. He does not speak from theory, but from an experience of faith cultivated since childhood.
Samuel grew up in a large family: nine siblings, two girls and seven boys. Two of them, along with his father, have already passed away. Grief did not break the family faith; strengthened it.
«I grew up in a Catholic home, united and full of peace, where faith was lived naturally,» he explains. Prayer, work and fraternity marked his childhood. Faith was not an add-on, but part of daily life.
When the vocation begins to take shape
Samuel does not remember a sudden revelation. His vocation grew little by little, like something that was always there.
«The priestly vocation is a special gift from God. In my case, the call grew silently, like a seed that God had put in my heart since childhood.
As a child he asked himself questions that others did not ask: what did a priest do, why did people listen attentively to his preaching, what did it really mean to serve God.
There is a scene that sums up this early call well. During a catechetical interview, when he was asked to make the sign of the cross, Samuel performed it as if he were a priest, imparting a blessing. A simple, childish gesture, but loaded with meaning.
Celebrating faith with the whole body
The Diocese of Soroti is located in a region of vast green plains, where life is built in community. It is a young, deeply believing Church in a mostly Christian country.
In Soroti, the Mass is not routine. It is a lively, participatory, joyful celebration. “The songs with drums, the choirs and the processions strengthen the sense of community,” explains Samuel. There, the liturgy is not observed: it is lived.
The transmission of the faith begins at home. Family prayer, the rosary and participation in the parish are part of daily life. In addition to this, there are the Christian Base Communities, small groups where the Word is shared, faith is celebrated and solidarity is lived.
The parishes promote catechesis, youth groups and the formation of the laity. Schools and social pastoral care complete an evangelization that unites faith, education and human promotion.
Too few priests, too many challenges
The vitality of the Church in Soroti coexists with a demanding reality: there is a lack of priests to serve very large territories and numerous communities.
«We need more priests and a training Samuel explains, »There is a constant need for catechists and lay leaders to accompany young people and those who are suffering. Even so, his outlook is hopeful: faith continues to be strong, joyful and communitarian.
Samuel is clear that evangelization today is not about imposing, but about proposing.
«Evangelizing today requires closeness, witness and authenticity. It is not enough to transmit ideas; we must show the face of Christ with our lives».
Its keys are concrete:
«Evangelization is not to impose, but to propose with love and conviction».
The priest who dreams of being
Samuel dreams of a profoundly human and profoundly God's priesthood. A priest who is close, available, well trained, merciful and missionary.
«The priest of the 21st century must unite tradition and creativity, fidelity and openness, prayer and service,» he says.
Challenging stories
Samuel Ebinu's story is not just that of a young Ugandan man preparing for the to be a priest. It is an invitation to ask ourselves how we care for vocations and how we support, even from afar, those who respond to God's call.
The same is true for the Geral Emanuel's story, another Ugandan seminarian who resides with him at the Bidasoa International Seminary and with whom he shares studies in Pamplona.
From Uganda to Pamplona, the seed has already sprouted. Now it needs to be accompanied.
Marta Santín, journalist specialized in Religion.
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