Three new priests as Kenya marks twenty-five years of Orionine presence
This year the Region of Kenya marks twenty-five years since the arrival of the Congregation in Kenya. On 6 August 2021, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, there was great joy in the family of Don Orione in Kenya: the Region received three new priests. They are Fr. Denis, Fr. Augustus and Fr. Thomas, ordained by Mgr. David Kamau, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.
The bishop began his homily by thanking the parents of the ordinands, who had offered their sons to the Church. He also thanked the candidates for accepting to consecrate themselves in the Congregation and in the Church, and stressed the necessity of a life of prayer and of taking Christ as the model.
You will build on what has already been built
He pointed out to the three candidates that they would be building on what had already been built, and that they needed to work with others — a challenge to work in collegiality.
Linking his words to the feast of the day, he underlined that Christ accepted to come down from Mount Tabor and pass through the cross. Priests, therefore, should accept the way of the cross in their ministry, and not be afraid to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. Finally the bishop reminded them that they must not be crosses themselves, or a cause of suffering for the people of God, but are called to be signs of consolation and joy.
This was the first priestly ordination in which Kenya received more than one priest at a time, bringing the total to thirteen priests from Kenya. It shows the growth of the Congregation in the region as it celebrates the Silver Jubilee of the arrival of Fr. Joseph Vallauri, the first missionary, in 1996.
Photo gallery
