"The idea of contributing financially to the formation of a priest came to me after my father's death. Perpetuating his legacy by using part of what I received in inheritance for something good for others seemed to me to be an excellent option. And I am sure that my father, from heaven, will also like this. As a tribute to him, it is called the "José Soria Scholarship".
Investing in the formation of priests in these times is, if possible, more important than ever. The world needs God. It needs to know of God's infinite love for every man. Men need good advice that will lead them to Him.
They need to be forgiven by Him when they take wrong steps in life. And for this, good priests, those who are wise and holy, are indispensable. To be able to do my bit by supporting with a scholarship the formation of a priest who lacked the financial means to do so, was what encouraged me to make the donation.
I got to know the work of CARF through my friendship with people of Opus Dei and, although I do not belong to this personal Prelature of the Church, I know first hand the very good theological and spiritual formation they provide.
Deogratias Method Nyamwihula belongs to the diocese of Mwanza in Tanzania. He arrived in Rome in 2015 and has played for Sedes Sapientiae, a seminarian soccer team among the most formidable in the Clericus Cup. The Clericus Cup is the World Cup for priests and seminarians. "I have always played soccer in my country. Without shoes, on very hard ground. I had so many friends because of soccer. A match is like calling a friend for lunch," he says.
When I contacted CARF, they told me about Deogratias from Tanzania, who studied at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to contribute to his formation, because the great spiritual work that I have no doubt he will do, would remain in a continent as needy as Africa. Although it took me some time to get to know him personally, I have considered him as my son from the very first moment and I pray every day that he will be a good priest.
I would like to encourage all readers who have the financial means to make donations (personally or through your company) to train people with priestly vocation from countries with scarce economic resources. The good that a good priest does is like the stone dropped into the lake whose ripple spreads and reaches far and wide. God does not allow himself to be outdone in generosity, so there is no doubt that we come out ahead.
Deogratias Method Nyamwihula was born on July 4, 1990 and belongs to the diocese of Mwanza in Tanzania. He studied at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome in order to be able to serve pastorally in his diocese and help in the evangelization of Tanzania. He is the third of six brothers.
Deogratias Method Nyamwihula belongs to the diocese of Mwanza in Tanzania. He is trained at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome in order to be able to serve pastorally in his diocese and help in the evangelization of Tanzania.
Deogratias grew up in a very Christian family. His first name "predestined him to the priesthood," he says. Another of his brothers is named Melchior.
"As I got older, it became a love story and I had this priestly vocation. When I was 17, I felt the call of God's love for the priesthood and began to prepare myself to understand what God wanted for my life," he explains.
About soccer, another of his great passions, he says: "The goal is not to win, but to create friendships. And if we are all, it is by faith. That is the victory: to win in Christian virtues."
