New semester, new faces at Seminary

The St. John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs Seminary (SJVUM) has welcomed three new seminarians for the 2026-27 academic year. Luke Chadee, Omar Combie, and Simon Atime have begun their first year of philosophy studies as part of the priestly formation program.

Luke Chadee, 33, is studying for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain and previously worked as a music instructor and band musician in Arima. Omar Combie, 27, is studying for the Archdiocese of Castries in St. Lucia and formerly worked as a marketing assistant after earning a degree in mass communication. Simon Atime, 23, moved from the Diocese of Gboko in Nigeria to St. Lucia to study for the Archdiocese of Castries.

These new arrivals bring the total seminarian population to 23, the highest number since the seminary reopened in 2017. During the opening mass on September 11, Rector Fr. Jason Boatswain noted that the student body includes missionary vocations from India and several African nations, including Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, and Cameroon.