Marking a new chapter in his formation, Seminarian Eduardo Augusto de Assis received his cassock from St Joseph Seminary Rector Bishop Stephen Lee on October 3, 2026. Joining the ceremony was Fr. Eduardo Emilio Agüero, SCJ. St Joseph Seminary spiritual director and the seminarians. The ceremony, held at the seminary chapel, is an annual rite for those completing their first year of the residency program and are officially recognized as seminarians of the Catholic Diocese of Macau. Eduardo is a local resident of Macao from Taipa and some of his friends joined the ceremony. One of them described his feelings after Eduardo took and wear the cassock: ” My very first thought was that it looked like he was dressed up for Halloween. The clothing was in such a juxtaposition to a friend I knew. But Eduardo was so happy and proud, I couldn’t help but be happy for him.” Eduardo is on the second year of his studies in preparation for his ordination in the future.
The cassock that he will start to wear is a traditional ankle-length clerical robe worn by seminarians and priests. It symbolizes dedication to God, and its white color reflects the call to live a life of purity and holiness. The investiture of the cassock is a rite of passage, publicly expressing a seminarian’s deeper commitment to the Church and priestly formation. When a seminarian wears the cassock in a ceremony, the cassock is not the end but the beginning of their journey.
Priesthood is a journey requiring discipline, prayer, humility and perseverance. The journey in attaining holiness in the priesthood is a matter of the heart and genuine devotion to God, not merely the clothes worn.
The cassock is not just a cloth priests or seminarians wear, but it is a sign. It is a sign of Christ’s love for the world. It is a sign of “esteemed soldiers” who try to lead all to victory. The act of putting on the cassock each day can become a spiritual practice for seminarians who use it mindfully. The garment serves as a physical reminder of the seminarians’ future identity as priest and his mission in the world. When a seminarian dons his cassock, he consciously assumes his future role as minister of Christ and servant of God’s people. The cassock visible to others creates opportunities for evangelization and pastoral contact in public.
The St Joseph Seminary community gives thanks to God for the gift of vocations and continues to pray for its seminarians as they grow in faith, discipline, and readiness to serve the Church.