My Take on the 2025 Mill Hill Mid-Life Seminar in Nairobi
From the 14th to the 28th of July 2025, I had the privilege of participating in the Mid-Life Seminar organized by the General Council of the Mill Hill Missionaries at the Mary Ward Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. As a Mill Hill missionary in my forties, I arrived with many unspoken questions about the journey so far, the bumps along the road, and the future ahead. I left with something I didn’t anticipate: a profound sense of gratitude, personal renewal, and communal solidarity.
Meeting of Minds and Hearts
We came—32 Mill Hill Mid-Lifers—from all corners of the globe, with diverse stories, missions, and cultural contexts. Yet, we shared common ground: the journey of mid-life. The seminar offered us the rare gift of sacred pause—to stop, reflect, reconnect with our vocation, and share vulnerably with one another.
The opening Recollection Talk by Bishop Emeritus Rodrigo Mejía Saldarriaga, SJ set a deep spiritual tone. His reflections on spiritual maturity were both affirming and challenging. Drawing from Pauline anthropology, he reminded us that to be spiritually mature is not to forsake the body, but to hold our body, soul, and spirit in harmonious unity—a unity that mirrors God’s own desire for wholeness in each of us and in our communities.
A Mosaic of Enriching Sessions
Each day offered fresh insights and challenges. We explored themes that many in ministry quietly wrestle with—addiction, mental health, safeguarding, crisis management, spirituality, self-care, and team ministry. The honesty and courage with which these sessions were facilitated and engaged showed that mid-life is not a time of crisis per se, but a threshold—a sacred in-between—where one stops like the lion in our theme song to see how far one has come.
One session particularly close to my heart was “Telling My Story.” In a world where output and performance often overshadow personal reflection, the simple act of being listened to— and of listening to others—was healing. We discovered anew that we are not alone. Beneath our different mission stations and apostolates are shared longings: to be seen, to be heard, to be whole.
A day spent with the General Council helped bring our reflections into focus. Fr. Michael Corcoran (General Superior), Fr. Bernie (Councillor for Asia and ongoing formation), made space for us to voice our hopes and concerns—not just as individuals, but as brothers walking the same path.
The Grace of Community
The highlight of our time together came on Saturday, 26th of July, when nine Temporary Members from the 2nd Cycle Formation Centre in Nairobi took their Perpetual Membership Oath. This profound and joyful celebration took place in the presence of Fr. Michael Corcoran, our General Superior, and Fr. Bernie Luna, General Councillor for Asia and In-charge of Ongoing Formation, as well as all of us mid-lifers gathered at the Mary Ward Centre. It was a powerful moment of witnessing fidelity, renewal, and hope for the future of our Society. Standing with our younger brothers as they committed themselves fully to the missionary life reminded us of our own “yes”—and called us to renew it with deeper maturity
and conviction.
The celebration continued the next day, Sunday, 27th of July, with a joyful Holy Eucharist at Mill Hill Parish in Shauri Moyo, Nairobi, where we concelebrated Mass with the local community. After the liturgy, we enjoyed a short outing to Two Rivers Mall, a moment to unwind and bond in a more relaxed setting. We concluded the day with a delicious fellowship meal, sharing laughter, memories, and a deep sense of brotherhood. These final days weren’t just about conclusion—they were about joyful communion, and celebrating the grace of being missionaries together.
A Song That Says It All
Composed Fr. Tony Emeka, MHM (Rector of BFP & 1st Cycle in Iloilo) a song that
captured the heartbeat of our gathering. It begins:
“From North to South and from East to West
From different Nations, working in different places
With many years of experience in the missions
We have come and ready to share our stories…”
And in the chorus:
“We are brought together by the love we have for Jesus
We are here to catch up with each other
Ready to share and listen to the stories of others
Trusting in the intercession of Saint Joseph
Mill Hill Mid-life Seminar,
A springboard to face the second half of our journey”
Indeed, “a springboard” is exactly what this seminar has been. I leave Nairobi with deeper appreciation for my fellow missionaries, a clearer understanding of the mid-life terrain, and a revitalized commitment to the second half of my journey in mission.
Integrating What We’ve Heard
The seminar’s final days focused on integration and evaluation, helping us gather the many threads woven through our sessions and sharing. Concepts like spiritual discernment, as taught by Bishop Rodrigo, stood out as both timely and urgent. His reminder that “unity is not uniformity” resonates deeply with our multicultural, multi-ministry Society. And that personal unity precedes communal unity challenges us to cultivate a deep inner coherence—a maturity that unifies our thoughts, words, and actions.
I am particularly struck by the distinction he made between being apostolic activists, devotionally stagnant, or balanced personalities. Our call is not just to “do for God,” but to be with God, letting our actions flow from deep communion.
Deep Gratitude
None of this would have been possible without the tireless support and warm hospitality of the Regional Representative of the East Africa Region, Fr. Hillary Awiti, and his Council, along with Fr. Dominic Nychoti and the logistics team. Their behind-the-scenes commitment, timely assistance, and heartfelt availability ensured that our stay was not only smooth and safe, but truly pleasant. Whether it was attending to individual needs, offering local insights, or simply checking in with a smile, they made us feel at home—physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Grateful and Hopeful
I am sincerely grateful to our General Council—Fr. Michael, Fr. Bernie, Fr. Gerry, and Fr. Philip—for organizing this important formation experience. Their presence, availability, and wisdom reminded us that we matter, and that mid-life is not the beginning of the end, but the beginning of deeper living.
As we part ways, I carry with me a stronger heart, rekindled friendships, and the sacred stories of brothers who, like me, are learning to walk more slowly, more purposefully, and more prayerfully into the future.
May Saint Joseph continue to intercede for us.
May we continue to walk together in unity and maturity.
And may the Mill Hill Mid-Life Seminar 2025 remain, for each of us, a springboard for what lies ahead.
Fr. Tomvenki Yellavula, MHM (Regional Representative – India Region)
Photo credit: Shaurimoyo Parish Facebook Account
