Monsignor Guy Bognon of the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Mission Society of St Peter the Apostle in Rome has encouraged seminary formators in the country to remain dedicated to their mission of preparing future priests despite the challenges they face.

Monsignor Bognon is in the country together with Father Alessandro Brandi to facilitate a formation programme for formators of Minor and Major Seminaries, aimed at strengthening the formation of future priests in the country.

Speaking on Sunday September 13, 2026, at the Poor Clares Monastery in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Monsignor Bognon said the visit is intended to thank and encourage those entrusted with priestly formation.

“They are sacrificing themselves. They are dedicated to this mission despite having fewer means, so they need to be encouraged,” he said.

He stressed that the work of seminary formators is vital for the future of the Church, noting that their dedication contributes to the preparation of good priests not only for Malawi but also for the universal Church.

Monsignor Bognon also thanked the faithful in the country for their continued support to the Church and for contributing to the needs of the universal Church through the Pontifical Mission Society.

He encouraged the faithful to understand that Christian discipleship extends beyond attending Mass and prayer, calling every baptized person to witness to Christ in daily life.

Turning to young people, Monsignor Bognon acknowledged that responding to God’s call can be challenging amid the many competing voices and choices in today’s world.

He, however, encouraged young people to remain attentive to God’s will, saying the most important vocation is not simply to become a priest, religious or married person, but to discern what God is calling each person to do with their life.

Monsignor Bognon assured young people that they are not alone in responding to their vocation, saying the entire Church has a responsibility to support and pray for them as they discern and live out God’s call.

Meanwhile, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the country, Father Peter Ephraim Madeya, has described the support from the international secretariat as a blessing to the Church in Malawi.

Father Madeya said the Catholic Church in the country, through the Pontifical Missionary Union, has acquired a vehicle with financial support partly provided by the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

He said the vehicle will strengthen the PMS office’s capacity to reach out to the faithful through animation and formation programmes.

“This car is a blessing to the office of Pontifical Mission Societies and also the Catholic Church in Malawi because the car will assist the office in the area of animation and formation to the faithful,” said Father Madeya.

He also described Monsignor Bognon’s visit significant, as the Church in Malawi celebrates 125 years of its permanent establishment.

“With regard to 125 years of the Catholic Church here in Malawi, the visit of Monsignor Guy is a blessing, whereby he is visiting Malawi as we are also celebrating 125 years of Christianity,” he said.

Fr. Madeya added that it would be difficult to tell the story of the growth of the Catholic Church in Malawi without recognising the contribution of the PMS, which has supported dioceses and various Church institutions.

“If you are talking of the Catholic Church in Malawi, we cannot talk of this Church without talking of the Pontifical Missionary Union,” Father Madeya said.

He said the support from the Pontifical Mission Societies has contributed to the development of dioceses, schools and hospitals across the country.

“Some of the help we are getting from these Pontifical Mission Societies is to help the schools, to help the dioceses, and also to help the hospitals,” he said.