In the Indonesian archipelago, the island of Flores has established itself as one of the world's main centers for priestly formation. There, a network of seminaries run by various religious congregations continues to send dozens of vocations each year to dioceses and missions on all continents. More than 80% of its two million inhabitants are Catholic, a legacy of the evangelization begun in the 16th century by Portuguese missionaries.
A network of seminaries with global reach
Flores, located about 800 kilometers east of Bali, hosts several major and minor seminaries, especially concentrated around Maumere, on the north coast. Congregations such as the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD), the Somascans, the Rogationists, the Vocations, and the Carmelites maintain formation houses there that feed a network rarely seen in Asia.
Archbishop Paulus Budi Kleden, a native of Flores and member of the SVD, emphasizes to the National Catholic Register the global impact of the island's training system. He explained that many of its seminarians end up serving in other countries as diocesan or religious priests. There are currently 650 students in secondary levels in the minor seminaries who feed this vocational flow.
Pope Francis alluded to this reality in a 2022 homily, when he mentioned that some congregations seek vocations “in an island of Indonesia”, in reference to its constant contribution of young people to the priesthood.
Ledalero, one of the most influential formation centers
Among Flores' institutions, the St. Paul Major Seminary stands out, on Ledalero hill, founded in 1937 by the Divine Word Missionaries. Originally dedicated to SVD novices, it soon opened its doors to local youth and members of other congregations. Since then, it has trained nearly 1,500 SVD priests, of whom about 500 currently serve in more than 70 countries.
The training process includes four years of philosophy, two of theology, and one or two of pastoral service prior to ordination. Those who decide not to continue on the priestly path can obtain a university degree at the nearby Ledalero Catholic School of Philosophy.
Father Sefrianus Juhani, a seminary professor, notes that vocations remain “dynamic”, with an annual intake after the novitiate that almost never drops below 50 new candidates. Even so, the seminary's priority—as he states—is not quantity, but the formation of mature, disciplined men who are spiritually solid and committed to service.
Challenges: technology, resources, and community life
The digital environment is one of the main challenges for the formators. The seminaries strictly limit the use of electronic devices and internet access to promote concentration, interior silence, and spiritual life. These rules aim to foster personal responsibility and self-discipline.
Economic difficulties are also part of daily life. With more than 320 seminarians, resources are often insufficient. The seminary's maintenance depends on the joint work of formators and students, who cultivate their own gardens and raise animals to supply themselves. The seminarians, moreover, manage their own expenses with a monthly stipend.
The social and family diversity of the candidates is another distinctive feature. Some come from affluent families; others, from very humble homes. This mix—as Father Juhani indicates—enriches community life and teaches future priests to build an intercultural and open fraternity.
Integral formation in contact with the community
The daily rhythm in Ledalero includes prayer, classes, study, manual labor, and cultural activities such as choir, writing workshops, and artistic groups. Weekends are dedicated to pastoral work: they accompany young people, visit the sick and prisoners, and collaborate on community projects.
Involvement with the environment is also evident in the defense of the environment. The seminarians have participated in protests against mining projects and help local communities express their ecological concerns. During the eruptions of the Lewotobi volcano in July and October, they were present in evacuation and assistance efforts.
According to Father Juhani, the seminary is “a school of life” where young people learn to live in fraternity, cultivate interiority, and develop an authentic vocation of service. Each year, new candidates join, with diverse stories and origins, sharing the same desire to give their lives to the Church.