About Us
Blessed Bakanja AMECEA College, a premier institution located in the vibrant city of Nairobi, Kenya. As a leading Catholic center for theological education and formation, we are dedicated to nurturing future priests who embody faith, academic excellence, and service to humanity. Named in honor of Blessed Isidore Bakanja, a young African martyr renowned for his unwavering faith and courage, our college reflects his spirit of resilience and commitment to the Gospel. Blessed Bakanja AMECEA College serves as a beacon of learning, rooted in the values of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).
We offer a range of programs designed to equip seminarians, with theological, pastoral, Spiritual, and leadership skills necessary for transformative ministry in today’s world. Our experienced formators, make a vibrant community life, and state-of-the-art facilities provide an enriching environment for holistic growth. Guided by the Catholic tradition and inspired by our mission, we aim to form well-rounded individuals who are intellectually competent, spiritually grounded, and socially conscious. At Blessed Bakanja AMECEA College, we are more than a Seminary—we are a family united in faith, service, and the pursuit of truth. Join us in shaping a future of hope, compassion, and Gospel-centered Priest from Eastern African Countries and beyond.
Blessed Bakanja offers a three-year program that seeks to provide men discerning a priestly vocation with the foundation needed to enter priesthood by fostering integrative growth in the areas of human and spiritual formation. This ensures that one acquires a deeper relationship with Christ, a growth a Christian virtue, and the development of Theology studies.
Seminary Formators
Very. Rev. Fr. Peter Moudie- Rector
Rev. Fr. John Mugo - Vice-Rector
Rev. Fr. Norbert Azale- General Spiritual Director
Seminary Facilities
Seminarians Hostels
Social Amenities
Seminary Compound
Holistic Formation and Vibrant Community Life
During the 3-year education at Blessed Bakanja AMECEA College, the seminarians are formed spiritually, humanly and intellectually. They do all their theological studies at the Catholic University. The lectures run from 8 AM in the morning to 6 PM in the evening. They are privileged to get such specialized training at an early stage.
The sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation are celebrated communally. This also applies to the preparation of liturgical activities, morning, evening, and night prayers. In addition, the seminarians have weekly spiritual conferences. A Rector’s talk is given every fortnight During weekends, students are involved in various pastoral activities like preaching during Mass in some parishes within the Archdiocese of Nairobi, singing in the CUEA Choir, and participating in activities of Focolare, International Movement of Catholic University Students, pastoral care of the sick and those who are physically and mentally challenged in the neighborhood.
“We aim at journeying with our seminarians, so that they may Discern well their priesthood vocation in the Light of Christ the Good Shepherd. That they may be dedicated to the service of humanity for the greater Glory of God.” Rev. Fr. John Njue
Pillars of Formation
The formation is the ongoing process of a man’s heart, mind, and soul being transformed so that he can carry out a fruitful ministry in the ordained priesthood of Jesus Christ, serving God and His people. The Four Pillars of Priestly Formation serve as the foundation of the Priestly Formation Program. Human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral components all have a role in the development of formation. Through coursework, study, field education, spiritual guidance, retreats, workshops, and communal living, each seminarian is molded and prepared for the priesthood. The program satisfies the criteria set forth in the Program of Priestly Formation of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops. Students who complete this program’s requirements are ordained into Deaconate and finally into priesthood.
Intellectual Formation
We differ from other organisms because of our cognition. We must always be students if we want to advance in life, starting with a personal understanding of Jesus Christ. The catechesis we started when we first heard about the Good News of Jesus Christ is deepened by intellectual formation. As the message is to be spread to other disciples and those who will be introduced to the Good News, this strengthening is crucial. The development of the intellect entails a deeper comprehension of the spiritual secrets, the art of communication, the study of thought (philosophy), and the social sciences.
Human Formation
A priest is still a person, and it’s crucial that their behavior doesn’t discourage people from seeing Jesus Christ (PDV 43). Therefore, the priest must be a man of morality and emotional maturity, seeking to be the most ideal human being that is capable of being in this lifetime. For the priest and the populace, constant development and improvement are crucial. The priest must be genuinely free, morally upright, prudent, a man of discernment, empathy, and both a competent speaker and active listener. The human condition of the person has an effect on their spiritual life as well.
Spiritual Formation
The spiritual formation of a priest starts with the fundamental call to discipleship and continual conversion to live in intimate union with the Holy Trinity (PDV 45). Such union is always mediated through the Church as the mystical Body of Christ. Therefore seminary formation aims to cultivate a spirituality that is specifically priestly i.e. a spirituality of communion with the Trinity and practiced in the mystery of ecclesial communion. This comes together through a profound devotion to the Eucharist and the liturgical life of the Church, regular Confession, spiritual direction, a love of Sacred Scripture, a spirit of meditation and devotion, love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a life of simplicity and holy obedience.
Pastoral Formation
Pastoral formation is the culmination of the previous three pillars since formation as a whole prepares the man to stand in the presence of the community as alter Christus (another Christ). The priest is to appropriate the “mind of Christ” and use his human personality as a bridge through which to communicate the faith in his words and actions. Pastoral formation aims to round the individual into an effective public minister, drawing together the previous three pillars of pastoral application. This is typically achieved through regular pastoral placements covering a wide range of pastoral situations.
