Admission & Support
Apply to St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, support a future priest financially, or join our community of Friends.
Begin Your Journey
Apply for Admission to STAMS
St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary welcomes men recommended by their Bishop or Religious Superior who feel called to the Roman Catholic priesthood. Admission is open to candidates from the five dioceses of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, other dioceses in Cameroon and beyond, and members of Religious Institutes.
All applications must be received by 31 August for the formation year beginning in September.
Admission Process
Contact the Vocation Director of your home diocese to begin formal discernment and Episcopal sponsorship.
Gather all required certificates, references, and your Bishop's letter of recommendation.
Send your complete application package to the Dean of Students by 31 August.
Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview with the Formation Team.
Successful candidates receive a formal letter and report to the Seminary in September.
📋 Required Documents
- Letter of recommendation from your Bishop or Religious Superior
- Completed STAMS Application Form
- Certified Baptismal & Confirmation Certificates
- Secondary School Leaving Certificate (minimum)
- Official academic transcripts
- Medical certificate of good health
- Three sealed letters of reference (at least two from priests)
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- Civil birth certificate
📩 Send an Admission Enquiry
This form does not replace the formal application — it lets the Dean's Office know you're interested and reach out with next steps.
📅 Key Dates
- Application deadline: 31 August
- Interviews: August – early September
- Admission letters: Mid-September
- Formation year begins: Late September
🌍 Who May Apply
- Men recommended by their Bishop
- Baptised and confirmed Catholics
- Free from marriage or serious impediment
- In good physical and mental health
- From any diocese or Religious Institute
📞 Dean's Office
St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary
P.O. Box 56, Bambui, Bamenda
📱 +237 681 058 989
✉ Bambuiseminary@yahoo.co.uk
Partnering for Vocations
For Vocation Directors
Vocation Directors are the bridge between the candidate and the Diocese — accompanying discernment, preparing applications, and remaining a trusted partner throughout the seminarian's formation. STAMS values open communication and collaboration with every Vocation Director.
What to Expect from STAMS
Written reports on each seminarian shared with the Bishop and Vocation Director.
The Rector and Dean are available for confidential consultation at any time.
Annual review meetings at STAMS for dialogue with the formation team.
A formal recommendation issued to the Bishop before ordination.
Give Today
Support the Mission of St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary
Your generosity sustains seminarians on their journey to the priesthood — covering tuition, room and board, formation, and the daily life of the Seminary. Every gift, large or small, helps form the next generation of priests for the Church in Cameroon and beyond.
See Ways to GiveYour Impact
What Your Gift Provides
Ways to Give
Choose a Giving Method
Bank: [Bank name — to be confirmed by Bursar's Office]
Reference: "Donation – [Your Name]"
Orange Money: Contact the Bursar's Office for the current number
Mail to: P.O. Box 56, Bambui, Bamenda, Cameroon
💛 Make a One-Time or Recurring Gift
Select an amount and your preferred frequency — the Bursar's Office will follow up with secure payment instructions tailored to your location.
Targeted Support
The Seminarian Support Fund
A dedicated fund providing direct financial assistance to individual seminarians facing hardship — ensuring that no one's vocation is derailed by financial difficulty alone.
While most seminarians are sponsored by their home diocese, some face unexpected financial hardship — a family crisis, an interrupted sponsorship, or extraordinary medical needs. The Seminarian Support Fund exists precisely for these situations, operating under its own governing Bylaws to ensure transparent and accountable distribution of funds.
How Funds Are Used
What the Fund Supports
📜 Governed by Official Bylaws
The Seminarian Support Fund operates under formally adopted Bylaws which define eligibility, the application process for assistance, and the fund's governance structure. Seminarians or Vocation Directors seeking support should contact the Dean's Office to begin the assistance request process.
Read the Fund Bylaws →Join Our Community
Friends of the Seminary
Friends of the Seminary is our community of alumni, benefactors, and well-wishers who commit to ongoing prayer and support for St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary. As a Friend, you'll receive regular updates on seminary life, the Searchlight Magazine, invitations to seminary events, and a deeper connection to the formation of future priests.
- Receive the Searchlight Magazine by email
- Monthly prayer intentions from the Seminary
- Invitations to public seminary events
- Updates on ordinations and milestones
- Everything in Prayer Partner
- Named in the annual Friends Bulletin
- Personal annual letter from the Rector
- Invitation to the Alumni Reunion
- Recognition at the Golden Jubilee & major events
- Everything in Sustaining Friend
- Personal Mass intention offered quarterly
- Invitation to private formators' dinner
- First access to Seminary Journal print copies
- Plaque recognition at Jubilee celebrations
Why Friends Matter to STAMS
Your prayers sustain seminarians through the demanding years of formation.
Recurring gifts from Friends provide predictable support the Seminary can plan around.
Friends remain part of the STAMS story long after their own formation or first encounter with the Seminary.
From ordinations to Jubilees, Friends share in the joys of the STAMS community.