The golden jubilee celebration of the Comboni presence in Kenya

The Rt. Rev. Henry Juma Odonya, bishop of the Catholic diocese of Kitale presided over the Eucharistic celebration. The double celebration marked the 50 years of Holy Cross Parish’s existence and the presence of the Comboni missionaries in Kenya.

A mammoth crowd attended and participated actively in the mass.  Lively singing and dancing punctuated the Eucharistic celebration. A Joint choir of Kacheliba and Amakuriat missions animated the mass.  In attendance were; members of the Comboni family, the religious, clergy and laity of Kitale diocese.  Local government leaders and members of parliament were also highly represented.

In his homily, bishop Henry thanked the Comboni missionaries for their tireless and generous service in Kitale diocese. Besides, he prayed and asked God to bless the Comboni missionaries with new vocations even from Kacheliba. He also urged the newly ordained deacons to carry out their ministry with faith, zeal and commitment.

Fr Andrew Wanjohi, the Provincial Superior of the Comboni missionaries in Kenya thanked the leadership and Christian community of Kacheliba for organising the celebration well. He acknowledged their continued support towards the formation of Comboni students who are sent to do mission experience in Kacheliba mission. At the same time, he challenged them to offer and allow their own children to join the Comboni missionaries.

The presence of Fr Tomas Herreros and Fr Filipe Resende who came from Italy and Portugal respectively to attend the event added joy to the celebration. Fr Tomas worked in Amakuariat mission while Fr Filipe worked in Kacheliba mission. The two represented Comboni missionaries who gave everything to build the mission in the two places. Fr Andrew took the chance to thank them and other Comboni missionaries who have preceded the current crop of Comboni missionaries in Kenya for their foundational work.

The previous day, as part of the build up to the launch of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, Joshua and Jacob have made their final religious profession as Comboni missionaries. Fr Filipe presided over the mass.  Meantime, Fr Andrew Wanjohi, the Provincial Superior received their Perpetual Vows on behalf of Fr Tesfaye Tadese, the Superior General.

The Jubilee Year will be closed on 10th October 2024, the feast of Comboni. In the interim, several missionary promotion events have been lined up to marked the 50 years of Comboni missionaries’ presence in Kenya. The events will take place in parishes where the Comboni missionaries have worked and are currently working. Bishops and other collaborators will be on board.

Lastly, the presence and presentation of Fr Abraham Sireu, a Comboni missionary from Amakuriat mission at the launch of the Jubilee Year is a sign that the work of Comboni missionaries in the area has not been in vain. The dream of Comboni to save Africa with Africans is a now a reality.
Fr Andrew Bwalya