During their first meeting of 2026, the bishops of the Solomon Islands gather with seminarians and formators at Holy Name of Mary Seminary, where five students receive their cassocks.
By Fr. Mark Robin Destura, RCJ
Bishops gather at Holy Name of Mary Seminary
The three bishops of the Solomon Islands: Archbishop Christopher Cardone, OP of Honiara, Bishop Peter Houhou of Gizo, and Bishop Jacob Aba of Auki, held their first meeting of 2026 on March 10 at the Holy Name of Mary Seminary.
During the gathering, the bishops met among themselves to discuss pastoral priorities for the year ahead. They also met with seminary lecturers, the rector, and seminarians from the three dioceses.
The visit concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist, during which five seminarians in their spiritual year received their cassocks, marking an important milestone in their journey toward the priesthood.
A call to authentic priesthood
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Jacob Aba, with Archbishop Cardone and Bishop Houhou concelebrating alongside the seminary priests.
In his homily, Bishop Aba challenged the seminarians to reflect deeply on their vocation.
“If you seek to be a priest for power or authority, you are mistaken,” he said. “True priesthood is about shaping your life for heaven and serving the salvation of God’s people. The Church needs you to bring Christ to others.”
He reminded them that priestly formation is not about gaining a title but about growing in holiness and living a life rooted in the love of God.
The meaning of the cassock
Addressing the seminarians who received their cassocks, Bishop Aba emphasized that the garment represents a commitment to live faithfully according to their calling.
“Have you experienced God’s forgiveness?” he asked. “Your formation is not merely to hold the title of priest but to live a life of holiness. Let your cassock be a sign of your commitment to God, not for show.”
He also reminded them that ordination itself does not guarantee salvation but must be lived out through love for God and service to others.
Formation for mission
Bishop Aba encouraged the seminarians to embrace the challenges of formation as preparation for missionary service.
Through their lives, he said, Christ will become present among the faithful they are called to serve.
The cassock ceremony, a significant step in seminary formation, symbolizes the seminarians’ dedication to God and to the service of the Church.
Looking ahead to 2026
The bishops’ meeting also focused on pastoral initiatives for the coming year, including strengthening priestly formation, addressing the pastoral needs of their dioceses, and advancing the mission of the Church across the Solomon Islands.
By gathering with seminarians and formators, the bishops reaffirmed the importance of preparing future priests who will serve the Church with humility, faith, and missionary zeal.
