A Pearl in a Diamond Field

Priestly vocations are rare in Congo. Father Timothée is Congolese. Born on November 11, 1981 into a Catholic family, he grew up with seven siblings in Mbuji-Mayi, a diamond-mining city of 2.2 million inhabitants.

Bitter Poverty

The gap between rich and poor there is enormous: a few wealthy families profit from the mineral resources, while the broad population lives in bitter poverty. The elderly are often left to fend for themselves without food or clothing. Even as a child, Timothée could not accept this and helped people wherever he could.

His family regularly went to Holy Mass and prayed the rosary. At the age of seven, Timothée became an altar server for Father Carlos, whom he greatly admired. This priest belonged to the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, founded in Belgium. Father Carlos recognized Timothée's vocation early on and suggested he enter the minor seminary. Whether he had discovered in him the pearl that God had evidently planted amid the diamonds…

Restless until our heart rests in Thee!

Since Timothée's father wanted him to become a doctor, he sent him to a school focused on biology and chemistry. But after finishing school, his sister, who lived as a religious sister in America, reminded him of Father Carlos's words and urged him not to forget his vocation. He grew restless, sensing that something was missing in his life and that God wanted to claim it. At Holy Mass he was deeply moved by the mysteries. He felt drawn into the liturgy, drawn into God's word, yet he could not interpret these signs. Father Carlos's successor, as Father Carlos had since passed away, helped him. He, too, recognized Timothée's vocation and advised him to enter the seminary. Father Timothée was happy. Now he was certain: he wanted to become a priest! It was not easy to obtain his father's consent, but thanks to his mother's gentle persuasion, he finally gave his blessing.

So Timothée entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 2012. In 2019, his bishop sent him to the Pontifical University of Santa Croce in Rome, where Timothée is studying communications. He hopes to assign him to the diocesan radio station upon his return. Besides deepening the faith through catechesis, Timothée's great desire remains above all to care for the elderly and the sick, so that they too may live a life of dignity.

We kindly ask you:

Support seminarians like Father Timothée with your faithful prayer and, if possible, with your generous donation! Then they will soon be able to put the education they are currently receiving at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce to fruitful use for their homeland. Thank you for your solidarity!

Thank you very much for your generous support of students like Timothée!