My name is Stanley Amuchaka. I am a seminarian for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne—South Bend, Indiana. I have five siblings: four brothers and one sister. I am the third son and the fourth born. My journey towards the priesthood began when I was around 10-11 years old, growing up in my neighborhood with my family in Nigeria. Although we weren’t Catholic at the time, I was born into the Salvation Army church. However, my mom, who was raised in a Catholic family, would teach us how to pray the rosary and recite simple Catholic prayers she had learned in her youth. Her influence sparked my curiosity about the Catholic Church. I befriended a Catholic boy in the neighborhood who attended a Catholic seminary high school. I started attending morning Mass with him, and the priest’s kindness and generosity — he would give us candy after Mass — made a lasting impression on me and became a sweet incentive to attend Mass daily. Nevertheless, I found myself drawn to the idea of priesthood. As I grew closer to the Catholic Church, I became fascinated with its traditions and rituals. I confided in my mom about my interest in attending a seminary high school, and despite initial hesitation due to my dad’s potential disapproval, she eventually supported my decision. I was enrolled in Annunciation Seminary, Amaudara, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, where I could explore my calling and deepen my understanding of the Catholic faith.
After completing seminary high school, I had deepened my understanding of Catholicism and felt a strong desire to become a priest. However, I faced a setback when I wasn’t accepted into the diocese for further studies. The selection process was competitive, with only 15 spots available out of 74 candidates, and math proficiency was a requirement. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet the math standards, and my application was rejected. So, I joined the Missionary Sons of St. Mulumba, a young congregation that aligned with my spiritual aspirations. However, the congregation faced significant challenges, including management issues, lack of accountability, and unclear formation processes, which ultimately led to financial difficulties. The Nigerian Bishops’ Conference took notice of these issues and eventually suppressed the congregation due to its financial struggles. This experience was a difficult and frustrating chapter in my journey, marked by rejection and disappointment, but hope was alive.
In 2018, the news of the congregation’s suspension was formalized when the rector of Christ the King Seminary in Kafanchan, Nigeria, summoned us seminarians to deliver the sad news. We were asked to discontinue our seminary formation, and I was forced to find new accommodation in a nearby neighborhood to complete my degree in philosophy. The Kagoma community, though speaking a different language, welcomed me with open arms, showing remarkable love, accommodation, and support to students like me. Despite the challenges, I was hopeful and determined to persevere and continue pursuing my calling. However, my mom and I kept the situation private from my dad and siblings, as we knew they would worry that I had disappointed the family by introducing them to Catholicism and then leaving the seminary without becoming a priest. Despite the challenges, my mom became my rock, selling her belongings to fund my college education in philosophy since there were no student loans available in Nigeria. She was my closest confidante and advisor, and I deeply appreciated her support. After graduating with a degree in philosophy, I faced another challenge: no congregation or diocese wanted to accept me because I had a degree and was already 21. They preferred younger candidates with only a high school education. Fortunately, I landed a one-year contract as an auxiliary teacher at a Catholic mission high school, where I taught Catholic doctrine. Just as my contract was about to end, Bishop Rhoades arrived, and my journey took an unexpected turn.
In July 2022, when Bishop Rhoades arrived in Nigeria, he visited the mission school under the Diocese of Awka, where I oversaw 1,400 students to celebrate Holy Mass for us. I was struck by his humility and cheerfulness as he responded to greetings, and it was my first time shaking hands with a white bishop. The encounter left a lasting impression on me. After the Mass, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something significant had happened to me. I couldn’t sleep that night, as my heart was racing with thoughts about Bishop Rhoades’ humility. I decided to research more about him online and ended up writing an application letter expressing my interest in joining his diocese, despite not knowing him personally. Something within me kept urging me to take this step, even though it seemed uncertain. On Wednesday of that week, I decided to meet Bishop Rhoades, aware of the potential challenges and implications. Unfortunately, I was denied access due to security reasons. I left in tears, feeling heartbroken, and prayed to God to open doors for me if I was truly called to the priesthood.
On Saturday evening, my school manager called to inform me that he wouldn’t be able to celebrate Mass for the students in the school chapel on Sunday. Instead, he asked me to prepare the students for an outside Mass. On Sunday, I successfully led 1,400 students to St. Andrew Catholic Parish Adazi, located about 8-10 minutes away from the school. As we arrived, I settled the students down, and to my surprise, Bishop Rhoades was preparing to celebrate Mass for the local parishioners. I couldn’t help but think about the incident earlier that week when I was refused a meeting with the bishop, and tears welled up in my eyes. However, during the offertory, Fr. Francis, who had brought Bishop Rhoades to Nigeria, caught my attention and signaled for me to come over. He whispered to me, “Don’t go without seeing the bishop; he wants to see you.” I was nervous, wondering what would happen next. After the Mass, Fr. Francis led me to Bishop Rhoades, who already knew about me. The bishop’s words gave me new life: “It will take a lot to bring a seminarian from Nigeria to the US, but we’ll do it.” His assurance renewed my hope and enthusiasm to serve God and His people.
It took me one year to finalize my application with my diocese and my documentation to come to the United States for my seminary studies. I arrived in America on July 24 through Washington Airport and was welcomed to the diocese by Fr. Jonathan Norton, the current vocations director of my diocese. I was assigned to Most Precious Blood Parish in Fort Wayne, which has now become my home parish, while taking theological classes at Saint Francis University in Fort Wayne. My first assignment at Most Precious Blood was a blessing to me; I got to know the diocese well, from the Fort Wayne side to the South Bend side. And now, I have been sent to Saint Meinrad to continue my seminary formation. Saint Meinrad has become a natural home for me. This is my vocation story, a testament to the power of faith and perseverance, and a hope that does not disappoint.
Stanley Amuchaka, Seminarian, Diocese of Fort-Wayne-South Bend