Cameroonian Br Bonaventure is in his ninth year of training to become a Mill Hill Missionary. Currently based in Kenya, he shares insights into the decade-long formation process required to become a Mill Hill priest:
‘The mission of the Church is to bring Christ to the world and the world to Christ,’ says Br Bonaventure. ‘The Mill Hill Missionary formation programme spans 10 years on average, divided into four progressive stages that develop students in all aspects of missionary life.’
Stage 1: Basic Formation (one year)
This introductory stage familiarises students with Mill Hill Missionary life and mission. Students learn to live and serve in a community centred on prayer and Christian action; engaging with local communities through visiting the sick, participating in Small Christian Communities, and joining parish activities. Students develop their ability to discuss faith, explore scripture, and discover Christ in God’s Word, their personal stories, and the people around them. Br Bonaventure explains:
‘Spiritual formation grounds me through daily Eucharist, community and personal prayer, and spiritual direction. I am learning not just to pray, but to become a man of prayer. Pastores Dabo Vobis (22) affirms: “the priest is called to be a living image of Jesus Christ”. Human and pastoral formation teach me to live with others in mutual respect and service.’
Stage 2: Deeper Exploration (three years)
This stage combines academic study of philosophy with continued spiritual development. Students explore and understand their faith more deeply while learning to follow Christ more closely through community prayer and service.
Pastoral work is integral to this stage—one day per week plus six weeks during holidays—serving in parishes, prisons, hospitals or schools. This lays the foundation for their missionary calling. Br Bonaventure shares:
‘Intellectual formation deepens my understanding of Scripture, theology and Church teaching, so I can “give the reason for my hope” (cf. 1 Peter 3:15) with clarity and love. In our second cycle of formation, students from different countries live in intercultural groups of four or five; cooking, cleaning, shopping and participating in the Prayers of the Church. This teaches responsibility, teamwork and flexibility. Meanwhile, witnessing different cultures’ liturgical expressions has opened me up to new ways of “being Church”.’
Stage 3: Mission Experience (two years)
During this stage, students are sent to serve in a parish or mission, typically outside their home country, for two years of practical missionary experience. They deepen their relationship with Christ while learning to understand local languages and cultures.
This stage presents inevitable challenges as students encounter different ways of life. They learn to recognise and respond to Christ in the lives of the people they serve—experiencing both joys and sorrows alongside their communities. Crucially, students discover they are both evangeliser and evangelised, with the Good News unfolding through their shared journey. Br Bonaventure says:
‘The two-year mission experience in parishes alongside our Mill Hill priests has taught me that mission is not simply presence, but effective presence: entering into people’s lives, cultures and sufferings with Christ’s love. My formation has shown me that real growth happens when both freedom and responsibility are nurtured.’
Stage 4: Theological Studies (four years)
The final stage involves four years of theological study within a multicultural community. Students integrate all previous learning and unite themselves more fully to Christ, preparing to commit their lives freely and generously to Gospel witness through love and service, wherever they may be sent.
It’s through your support that this formation is made possible! Br Bonaventure concludes:
‘As I approach the threshold of mission, I pray to be consumed by the fire of divine love. Thank you for making this journey possible.’
Since 1936, the Mill Hill Missionaries have been working in partnership with Missio through the Red Box programme in parishes across England and Wales.
There are currently 150 young men studying to become Mill Hill Missionaries throughout the world – 47 Cameroonians, 27 Kenyans, 35 Ugandans, 1 Congolese, 11 Filipinos and 29 Indians who are being formed for mission in MHM Formation Centres in India (34 students), the Philippines (7 students), Cameroon (25 students), Kenya (50 students) and Uganda (34 students).
Mill Hill Missionaries continue to love and serve in the following areas:
26 parishes in Africa: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan and Uganda.
28 parishes in Asia: Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Pakistan and the Philippines.