The Legacy of St. Augustine’s Major Seminary: Celebrating 100 Years of Catholic Education in Lesotho
As St. Augustine’s Major Seminary in Roma, Lesotho, commemorates its centennial anniversary, Archbishop Gerard Lerotholi, OMI, reflects on the institution’s storied history of shaping priests and religious leaders for ministry.
Written by Sr. Katleho Khang, SNJM
The 100th anniversary of St. Augustine’s Major Seminary represents a pivotal moment in the growth of the Catholic Church in Lesotho. Serving as the country’s sole major seminary, this institution has been the alma mater of numerous Catholic leaders throughout Southern Africa, producing nearly 20 bishops, over 500 priests, and countless religious men and women. Notably, among its esteemed alumni was the first Mosotho Cardinal, the late Sebastian Koto Kharoai, OMI.
In an interview with Vatican News, Archbishop Lerotholi, an alumnus and Chairperson of Catholic Education, lauded St. Augustine’s Major Seminary for its unwavering commitment to nurturing future Church ministers. He emphasized the seminary’s integral role in fostering local vocations under the visionary guidance of the Oblate Missionaries.
Archbishop Lerotholi praised the institution’s teaching faculty and the caliber of priests it has produced, noting that what began as a modest local establishment has evolved into a renowned hub for priests across Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meanwhile, South African Archbishop Dabula Mpako of Pretoria’s Metropolitan Archdiocese echoed Archbishop Lerotholi’s sentiments, commending St. Augustine’s Major Seminary for its century-long dedication to training future priests. Archbishop Mpako fondly reminisced about his time as a seminarian at St. Augustine’s in the early 1980s, describing it as a nurturing mother—Alma Mater. He expressed his hope that the seminary’s impactful work will endure for generations to come.
Embracing a spirit of inclusivity and adaptation, St. Augustine’s Major Seminary has recently welcomed lay individuals interested in its diverse programs. Affiliated with the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome, the seminary aims to offer relevant education while maintaining a positive presence in the Church and the broader community.
Under the leadership of Rector Father Paul Lekena, the seminary pursues a mission of multiculturalism, inclusivity, and relevance in modern-day formation. Alumni of St. Augustine’s have actively contributed to leadership roles within both the Church and government of Lesotho, embodying the institution’s ethos of positive change.
Looking ahead, Father Lekena envisions St. Augustine’s Major Seminary evolving into a comprehensive institution that not only shapes priests but also addresses the pressing needs of communities in Southern Africa. Founded by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate missionaries, St. Augustine’s Major Seminary remains a beacon of Catholic education and pastoral formation in the region.
