A seminary student from Fiji shares what he has learned on his journey toward becoming a Columban missionary priest.
By Willie Lee

Even though I had a strong desire to become a Columban missionary priest, I had fears and concerns. During the five years that I had worked on the family farm, I did not have any formal education, and I knew that seminary life would require many years of demanding college-level study.

I also wondered about living most of my life outside of Fiji, far away from family and friends, learning new languages and adapting to different ways of living. I also realized, however, that if God truly wanted me to become a Columban missionary priest, then I had to follow my heart's desire and trust in His goodness and help.

I spent the first three years of my seminary training in my island nation of Fiji, northeast of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. It was during this time I adjusted to becoming a student, meeting other seminarians and priests on similar missionary journeys, and developed a deeper confidence that God was present and active in my life.

Then, I had my first taste of missionary life: I was sent to the Philippines for one year to continue my studies. It was interesting and challenging. Once I stepped out of the classroom, I felt lost; I couldn't speak the local language and knew only a handful of people. Everything felt strange: the sights and sounds, the food and the way of life.

Columban seminarians living at the Columban International Seminary are (front row, left to right) Columban Father Leo Distor (vice rector), Jason Antiquera, Eder Bustamante Oblitas, Willie Lee, Braulio Caceres Palomino, Je Hoon Lee and Christopher Kaamiño.

It was like being a little boy who must depend upon others to teach and help me. I realized that being a missionary is more than helping other people; it's also about me learning and being helped by others.

After my year in the Philippines, I returned to Fiji for a vacation. All the simple things that I had taken for granted before going overseas seemed different now. I appreciated them much more than before.

My time home was short-lived as I was soon asked to go on mission in Peru for two years. After six months of studying Spanish in Bolivia, I helped out in Columban parishes and projects in Lima, the capital city of Peru, where I sharpened my language skills by making many new friends. I came to a deeper realization that the core of missionary life is love of both God and His people.

I was sad to leave Peru, but I realized being on the move is a major part of missionary life.

I was eager to complete my seminary studies so I could be ordained and return as a priest to work among the Peruvian people.

Theology & New Friends
I was off to Chicago to study theology at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) and live with my fellow seminarians at the nearby Columban International Seminary (see sidebar article). Before going to Chicago, I had thought that I had seen the world. But while in Chicago, I realized that I had only seen a part of it.

I've met students from around the world at CTU and lived with priests and seminarians from countries such as Ireland, Korea, Peru, Chile and the Philippines. We have shared our missionary experiences, studied and prayed together and played soccer and sang karaoke on weekends.

Willie Lee

These experiences have broadened my mind and heart in ways that I could have never imagined 10 years ago. I appreciate more the mystery of God, who shapes us all in wondrously different ways.

Living daily amid such diversity made me realize that a missionary must be a bridge builder, helping everyone who is a member of the one family of God.

In June, I completed my seminary education and returned home to Fiji. I am preparing to be ordained a priest here in 2008. My family and friends are as excited as I am!

I am truly grateful for the encouragement and support of so many people. I continually thank God for their kindness and generosity and feel so blessed when I look back on my years as a seminarian and see how He guided and helped me.

As one chapter of my life's journey closes, another is about to begin. I look forward to returning to Peru as a Catholic missionary, beginning my life of service to God and His people.

At Home In Chicago

At present, there are nine seminarians from four countries---Peru, Philippines, Korea and Fiji---where Columban missionaries have worked for decades.

When a young man decides to become a Columban seminarian, he studies for three or four years in his home country. His studies include philosophy and theology. Plus, there is a "spiritual year" during which the focus is on discovering one's true self, reflecting on one's life and relationships, learning how to pray and what it means to follow Jesus Christ as a priest and a missionary.

After a seminarian has successfully completed these two parts of his training, he comes to the seminary. If he has insufficient command of English, he attends language school for at least one year. Then he begins his studies in theology at Catholic Theological Union (CTU), the largest graduate school of theology and ministry in the United States.

After two or three years of studies, he goes to a Columban mission country for two years to learn the language, meet its people and to experience how missionary work is done. He then returns to Chicago to complete his degree in theology. Ordination follows in his home country.

As a Columban missionary priest, he is assigned to a country where he may well spend the greater part of his life giving witness to the universality of God's love.

You can learn more about CTU at its website: www.ctu.edu. The Missionary Society of St. Columban is not responsible for the website's content.