It took a village

Following is the valedictory speech (edited for length) delivered by graduate Samwel Njoroge on May 15 at the Seminary St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs’ graduation ceremony.

“It takes a whole village to raise a child.” This profound African proverb expresses the deep truth that the human person is fundamentally relational. No individual forms himself in isolation. Community shapes identity, character, wisdom, and destiny.

The African philosophy of ubuntu beautifully articulates that personhood is nurtured through relationships, guidance, correction, sacrifice, and shared responsibility. Furthermore, this proverb echoes the famous assertion of Aristotle (the ancient philosopher) that “man is by nature a political animal,” because he possesses speech and moral reasoning that enable him to live and flourish within the polis, (the human community).

This also resonates with the image painted by St Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 12:12, where he describes the Church as one body with many members. Therefore, as we gather for this graduation ceremony, we recognise that our achievements are not merely individual triumphs, but the fruit of an entire community of formation.

In many ways, this wisdom deeply resonates with the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidadian society has long embodied a communal spirit in which families, neighbours, churches, schools, and entire communities participate in the formation of the individual. It is a society where hospitality, solidarity, shared struggles, and mutual support continue to shape human relationships.

This communal ethos becomes especially visible in moments of celebration, hardships, education, and faith. Whether through the warmth of a family gathering, the support of a parish community, or the collective encouragement offered to students and seminarians, Trinidadian culture reflects the conviction that no one journeys alone.

In this sense, the African wisdom of ubuntu, “I am because we are”, finds a natural home within the Caribbean context. It reminds us that our lives are interconnected, and that our formation is always the result of countless visible and invisible sacrifices made by others.

Thus, our graduation today represents far more than a personal accomplishment. It is the fruit of parents who sacrificed, lecturers who guided, formators who corrected, friends who encouraged, and communities who prayed for us. Indeed, it took a village.

We are profoundly grateful to His Excellency, Archbishop Santiago De Wit Guzmán, for honouring us with your presence today. Having the representative of the Holy Father in our midst reminds us that our education, rather than being for personal advancement, is a vocation to serve the universal Church and the whole human family with faith, wisdom, and love.

We wish to express our profound respect and heartfelt gratitude to our Principal and Rector of the Seminary, Dr Jason Boatswain. Father, we thank you for your visionary leadership and for upholding the high standards of theological excellence at the Theological Institute. You consistently challenged us to grow intellectually while remaining deeply rooted in the truth of the Gospel.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to our Dean of Studies, Dr Adanna James. You have been an architect of our academic formation, guiding us meticulously through the complexities of our curriculum and the rigour of examinations. Your commitment has helped prepare us to articulate the faith with clarity, competence, and conviction.

To our lecturers and formators, we remain deeply indebted. You taught us critical thinking shaped by truth and fidelity. You challenged us to engage philosophy and theology not as abstract disciplines, but as living pursuits ordered toward wisdom, justice, and service to humanity.

Our journey would have been impossible without the dedicated support of our administrative and secretarial staff, as well as our librarian and assistant librarian.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to the ancillary staff of this institution especially our cook, housekeeper, groundskeepers, and messengers whose quiet and often unseen service contributed immensely to our years of formation. We are deeply grateful.

To our parents and guardians, and in a special way to our Trinidadian families who opened their doors and hearts to us: your homes became our home away from home.

In a land that was not originally our own, you offered us a place at your table and space within your families. Your hospitality provided the peace, stability, and encouragement we needed to focus on our formation. You gave us shelter, and beyond that, belonging.

To our brothers, the seminarians who remain to continue with formation, “I have many things to say to you, but they would be too much for you to bear now” (Jn 16:12) but remember that your time here is fundamentally about the profound transformation of the soul.

The Ratio Fundamentalis reminds us that priestly formation is a single, integrated journey of discipleship. Every lecture, every moment of prayer, every correction, every sacrifice, and every struggle contribute to this sacred process of becoming. Do not be discouraged.

Pope Francis reminded young people in Christus Vivit (112) that: “The very first truth I would tell each of you is this: God loves you.” Brothers, never allow fatigue, fear, or discouragement to make you forget this truth. Indeed, God loves you, never doubt this. At every moment, you are infinitely loved.

To my fellow graduates, the Class of 2026: when Jesus was crucified, before breathing His last, He proclaimed three words: “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). These words were more than the announcement of death; they were the proclamation of victory.

When Christ uttered those words and bowed His head, the veil of the Temple was torn in two, the earth shook, and the rocks split apart. In that sacred moment, the mission of redemption reached its fulfilment, and the debt of sin was paid in full. Class of 2026, there is power in finishing! By completing this degree programme and remaining faithful to God throughout our journey, we have positioned ourselves as earthen vessels through whom God can enact positive change in the world (2 Cor 4:7). Nelson Mandela once said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” For us, however, education goes beyond the acquisition of knowledge; it is also the transformation of the human person for mission and service.

Dear Graduates, God has bestowed power on us from above so that we may become His witnesses “in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

We have been formed beyond remaining comfortable within the walls of institutions, to going forth courageously into the world as witnesses of truth, justice, compassion, reconciliation, and hope.