St. Luigi Orione Parish, Gaitu: the church is consecrated
Sunday 12 June 2022 marked a milestone in the Region of Kenya. The faithful of the new parish of Gaitu, in the Diocese of Meru, gathered for the official opening of the parish, which has St. Luigi Orione as its patron, and for the consecration of the church, presided over by Mgr. Salesius Mugambi, Bishop of Meru.
The celebration began with the welcome of the bishop from the market square all the way to the parish — a sign of how long the faithful of Gaitu had waited for this day. The chairman of the pastoral council then told the short history of how the parish had been born from the two mother churches of Nkabune and Chaaria, without leaving out the difficulties they had faced in obtaining the land and building the church that has now become the seat of the new parish.
Oil, incense, and twelve candles
The procession into the parish church followed, for the blessing and consecration of the building as a sign of the purification of the place of worship. The members of the parish pastoral council were presented to the bishop for his blessing, and he asked them to work in collaboration with the parish priest.
In the homily, on the solemnity of the Trinity, the bishop underlined the need to work in unity as the Trinity does — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He also stressed the importance of supporting the Don Orione Fathers in their mission in the parish, and encouraged the Congregation to continue its good work in the diocese.
Fr. Maurice Mawira, who would be the first parish priest of this new Orionine parish, recited the profession of faith before the bishop and the faithful. When the moment came for the anointing of the altar and the walls with the holy chrism, the Christians stayed very still, eyes fixed on the altar, since this was a new experience for them. There followed the procession of the five vessels with incense, marking the five wounds, and the incensing that marks out the holy place where the sacrifice will be offered at Mass. Then came the lighting of the candles on the altar and of the twelve candles that signify the foundation of the Church on the twelve Apostles. The faith of St. Luigi Orione Parish, Gaitu is founded on the Apostles, and the parishioners should hold to the teaching of the Apostles, the bishop insisted.
Before the end of Mass there was the blessing of the new tabernacle where Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament would be placed. The bishop stressed that Christians must not leave Jesus alone, and must respect the church at all times because it is a place of worship. After the Eucharistic celebration the bishop proceeded to the official opening and blessing of the community house in which the members of our religious family will live while serving the faithful of St. Luigi Orione Parish, Gaitu.
The charismatic family of Don Orione was well represented: our Little Missionary Sisters of Charity, the Sacramentine Sisters and the members of the Orionine Lay Movement were all present.
It was a day full of joy for the whole Orionine family in Kenya and for the parish of St. Luigi Orione Gaitu. We thank all who supported, in great things and small, the realisation of this dream, and we ask your prayers for the whole family of Gaitu parish. Ave Maria e avanti.
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