Giving Their Whole Lives for Christ

Kingsley never thought he would one day leave his homeland. Kingsley – meaning: God is great – was born in Nigeria in 1989, the fifth child in his family. He grew up in the densely populated state of Anambra. But in 2000, his family moved to the countryside for financial reasons. Thanks to his deeply religious parents, Kingsley's family life was shaped by faith. From an early age, he sought the closeness of a priest.

And although he was rather a fearful child, every morning he overcame anew his fear of the dark and went to church at four o'clock. At the age of eleven or twelve, he knew: “I want to become a priest!”

During this time, his eldest sister died while giving birth to her child. He had many conversations with priests. They explained to him that priestly formation means learning and studying a great, great deal. Also, the studies would be very costly.

But he was firmly resolved. A scholarship enabled him to finish school. Funds were collected for Kingsley's further education, and his sister paused her own studies for several years so that he could study. Thus, in 2003, he was able to enter a seminary run by missionaries. Six years later came two apostolic years, one year of formation, and then three years of theological studies. In obedience, he followed the – for him surprising – request of his bishop to go to Rome. Inspired by the self-sacrifice of great saints, he overcame his lack of talent for languages and even earned a language diploma. His parents and siblings made many sacrifices to support their son on his path toward the priesthood. Kingsley, too, is willing to make sacrifices, and he bears them joyfully.

Those who know him know how much he loves to laugh. He is not joyful because he knows no sacrifices, but because Christ is his joy. Kingsley is in his fourth year of studies at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce in Rome. After his bachelor's degree in theology, he will pursue a licentiate in canon law. After returning to Nigeria, he wants to go to those who suffer, promote their comprehensive education, and help people build a personal relationship with Christ. For many of them attend Holy Mass or seek out priests in order to find solutions to their problems, not to encounter Christ. Kingsley wants to help them. He longs for them, too, to experience being a child of God – and to recognize their dignity.

We ask you most warmly: Support seminarians like Kingsley with your prayer, and if possible, with your generous donation!

Nigeria needs priests like him, so that more and more people can come to know Christ – including in the Muslim north of the country, which suffers greatly under the stranglehold of Boko Haram.

Thank you for your solidarity!