Catholic Archbishop in Ivory Coast Urges Major Seminarians to “sew” the Garments of Priestly Life

Archbishop Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa told seminarians at Our Lady of Guessihio-Gagnoa Major Seminary to use their formation years to prepare for the priestly life. During a Mass marking the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, the Archbishop of Bouaké encouraged students to integrate the virtues and evangelical counsels necessary to become priests according to the heart of God.

Addressing students, lecturers, and professors, Ahiwa used the parable of the wedding feast from the Gospel of Matthew to explain that entering the Kingdom of God is a grace requiring an active response rather than a reward for merit. He described the seminarians' time in formation as a period to sew the spiritual garments suited to their future state of life, which includes offering their total selves to God.