I am Ogezi Novert, from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Kyamuhunga, Mbarara Archdiocese in Western Uganda. I am 33 years old, the fifth child in a family of 9 children one deceased. I joined the candidacy stage in Jinja in 2015 and in 2018 Saaka Novitiate. Between 2019 and 2023, I did my post-novitiate formation program at McCauley Formation House Nairobi. Then, I went to Sacred Heart of Priests Province Bangladesh for pastoral- spiritual year from June 2023 to February 2024. I am currently serving with Holy Cross Family Ministries Fort Portal.
My vocation story began when I was just a young boy in primary three because of how priests who visited our church used to treat us. I felt that I can be like them and serve God but at first, I thought it was impossible until I shared with my mother and some religious. I shared my dream with her, who encouraged me to work hard and pursue my calling. Although my initial attempts to join the minor preparatory and minor seminary respectively as way to become a religious were unsuccessful, my desire to serve the Lord never faded.
As I continued my studies in Catholic schools, my passion to be a religious priest was reawakened especially whenever they sang a biblical based hymn from Prophet Isaiah (6:8-13. Then I heard a voice of the Lord saying……). This hymn did not leave me the same way whenever it was chanted. Our parish priest also used to advocate for a call to religious life. I was deeply inspired by him and other Comboni missionaries, who selflessly served the marginalized and spread the Gospel. Our family’s prayer life and my father’s dedication as a catechist also played a significant role in nurturing my vocation.
My time in formation has been a journey of discernment, deep prayer, and growth. The formation team has been instrumental in helping me develop in the following pillars; Prayer Life, Human Growth, Community Life, Apostolate, Intellectual Growth, and Vowed Life. Throughout this journey besides Prayer, human growth, community, intellectual, and vowed life formation especially during my novitiate and post-novitiate period I served different ministries. In the novitiate I was extraordinary communion minister for Saaka Sub-Parish during Sunday services and to the sick and elderly.
I was also pastoral minister at Kabarole Regional Hospital assisting the hospital, Chaplain. During post-novitiate served at babies’ home in Langata, St Brendan Parish Kitete, Lake View Secondary school in Jinja, and St Perter’s Parish Kinoo. I did my Pastoral Spiritual year in Sacred Heart of Jesus Province Bangladesh where I served as extraordinary communion minister to the sick and elderly, assistant hostel Spiritual minister and was in charge of sports at the hostel. I returned to the province and was assigned in Holy Cross Family Ministries Fort portal to assist the Director and responsible for faith formation up to date.
Now, as a seminarian of Holy Cross, I am preparing for my final vows and deaconship ordination. Special thanks to God and all my formators, cooperates, people of goodwill, and co-workers in God’s mission for the endless advice and mentorship for this holistic formation.
God bless you all.
Last modified: October 4, 2024
