Intellectual formation

The Grand Seminary Saint Thomas Aquinas-Philosophicum of Kabgayi is an institute of higher philosophical studies. It offers courses and organises a whole range of practices that form an intellectual: assignments, presentations, examinations, dissertations, study groups and seminars. It has a library and a room for journals and newspapers, the use of which is intended to awaken in the seminarian all the riches of intelligence and wisdom. This helps to achieve the goal of philosophy: to know how to wonder, to question, to reflect, to awaken the thirst for knowledge, to open oneself to one's inner self, to scrutinise the mysteries of the world and the depths of God.

Of course, one cannot insist enough on the duty of self-formation. Indeed, the seminarian has no right to be content with lecture notes. The intellectual curiosity that the seminarian must cultivate (and later, continuing formation) obliges him to maintain a high level of general culture. He must be able to stay informed and discuss with other intellectuals in various fields. And the Lord does not love mediocrity.

The philosophical formation offered in this institution comprises a three-year cycle which, since obtaining affiliation with the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome in 2015, is crowned by the degree of canonical Baccalaureate in Philosophy.

And the Lord does not love mediocrity.