Fr. Mbithi Clement Mutie: “The people I have met along the way have shaped me deeply”

I come from a large Christian-Catholic family and am the sixth of ten children. My late father, a devout Catholic and a man of unwavering faith, passed away in 2020. My mother, who continues to be a source of strength and inspiration, is a woman of deep trust in God. Growing up in this faith-filled environment was a profound blessing, shaping the person I am today and laying the foundation for my vocation as a missionary.

My parents’ devotion to the faith was evident in every aspect of their lives. My father’s unwavering commitment to the Church, where he served tirelessly, and my mother’s quiet but determined trust in God taught us children the value of faith and perseverance. Our home was my first “school of life,” where I learned to pray, trust in God, and embrace Christian virtues such as love, humility, and community life.

Being part of a large family, my siblings taught me respect and many valuable lessons. My older siblings taught me the importance of listening and respect, while my younger siblings instilled in me a sense of responsibility, care, and joy in caring for others.

As the sixth child, I experienced the dynamic of both learning from my elders and leading the younger ones. These early family experiences gave me a strong sense of security, belonging, and love, which prepared me for my vocation.

During my childhood, I was drawn to the activities of the Church. My father’s example as a devout Catholic who never missed Mass was a strong influence. He was a living icon of the Catholic faith, always encouraging us to attend catechism classes, Sunday school, and youth group activities. My faith began to take deeper root in those early years, especially after I joined the altar boys group in our parish.

Serving at the altar awakened in me a deep desire to become a priest. At that time, I did not fully understand the difference between the diocesan and missionary priesthood, but the seed of my vocation had been planted. In high school, this desire became more focused. Although I kept my dream a secret, my determination to pursue it grew stronger. A pivotal moment came in 2009 when, during a casual conversation, my cousin told me, “You are going to be our family priest.” Her words echoed the deepest desires of my heart, even though I did not openly admit it. This encounter gave me courage and confirmed the path I hoped to follow.

An important turning point came two weeks before my final exams. A Comboni Missionary visited our parish for vocation promotion. His visit coincided with a thanksgiving Mass at my school, where he spoke about the work of the Comboni Missionaries in spreading the Gospel and serving the poorest and most abandoned. His testimony touched me deeply.

After Mass, I approached him with a mixture of fear and excitement and promised to contact him when I had my exam results. After receiving my results, I approached him, and in 2011, I began my formation journey with the Comboni Missionaries in the pre-postulancy. A year later, I entered the postulancy.

It was there that I laid a solid foundation for my missionary journey, the formation of my identity, and the strengthening of my commitment to service. In 2015, I entered the novitiate in Lusaka, Zambia. These two years were marked by intense spiritual growth, silence, and discernment. During the first year, known as the canonical year, I worked at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, ministering to the sick and their families. This experience taught me compassion and empathy, especially in moments of deep human suffering.

The second year of the novitiate included a four-month missionary experience in Malawi, where I encountered new cultures, languages, and methods of evangelization. This broadened my understanding of what it means to be a missionary and strengthened my attachment to the Comboni charism. At the end of the novitiate, I took my first vows and officially became a member of the Comboni Missionaries.

After the novitiate, I was sent to the Scholasticate in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, for theological studies. The four years I spent there were transformative, deepening my understanding of theology and the Bible while exposing me to intercultural life within and outside the community.

However, this period was not without challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I lost my father. The inability to return home for his burial was one of the most painful moments of my journey. My father had been a pillar of support throughout my life, and I longed for him to witness the fulfillment of my calling. This experience taught me to trust in God’s plan, even in the face of profound loss, and to find solace in prayer and community.

After my theological studies, I was sent to West Pokot, Kenya, for my pastoral year. This time was a mixture of missionary service and preparation for priestly ordination. I worked closely with the local community, embracing their culture and sharing the Gospel in a way that resonated with their lived experience.

On 30 February 2022, I was ordained a deacon, and on 11 June 2022, I was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Kitui. These moments were the culmination of years of discernment, formation, and prayer, and marked the beginning of my life as a priest.

After ordination, I continued my studies at the Gregorian University in Rome, specializing in vocational formation. This academic journey deepened my understanding of how to guide and mentor others in their vocational discernment.

In June 2023, I finished my licentiate and returned to Kenya to work in the postulancy formation. Here, I accompany young men from Kenya and South Sudan who are preparing to become Comboni Missionaries. This role is both a privilege and a responsibility, as it allows me to share my experience and support others in discerning their call to the missionary life.

Looking back, my journey has been one of growth, challenge, and deepening faith. Each stage, from my early family life to my current role as a missionary, has been marked by God’s faithfulness. I have learned to embrace both the joys and the crosses of this vocation, always relying on God’s mercy and grace.

The people I have met along the way, the children at St. Martin de Porres, the sick at the hospital in Zambia, and the communities in Malawi and West Pokot, have shaped me deeply. Their resilience, faith, and love continue to inspire my commitment to serve the poorest and most abandoned. Today, I look to the future with hope and joy, trusting in God’s providence and remaining open to His call.

Comboni Missionaries