On Friday evening, 15th March, twelve young men from the Society’s mission territories across Africa answered this question with the following words, ‘We ask for God’s merciful love and for the grace of serving Him more perfectly as members of St Joseph’s Missionary Society.’ The Renewal of the Missionary Oath ceremony took place in the Formation House chapel in Chelsea Marina Court, Nairobi. Fr. Hilary Awitti MHM, our East African Regional, presided over the occasion. Fr. Hilary reminded us in his homily of the many qualities of St. Joseph and the importance for us to cultivate a spirit of quietness and stillness of heart in the midst of a busy, noisy world.
The Franciscan Missionaries of St Joseph and their three Novices were among other guests who joined the Formation Community in this celebration. The proceedings were followed by a buffet meal and a lively social held in the garden of the Formation House.
Due to the academic demands and commitments of Tangaza University, it was decided to bring forward the Nine Day Novena to St Joseph by a few days and celebrate the Solemnity of our beloved patron on Friday the 15th. (Being a practical man with common sense, I am sure St Joseph will excuse this liturgical adjustment.)
As each of the twelve students knelt to renew their Oath, our prayer is that they will continue in their pursuit of this sacred calling, ‘to be heralds of the Good News.’ Seven of the twelve will take their Perpetual Oath sometime in the next academic year, others will take up Mission Experience Placements (MEP), and others will continue with their studies.
We support and encourage our ‘Twelve young Apostles’ in their desire to become missionaries. We know our way of life is not always a bed of roses. However, encouraged by the words of our founder, ’Become men of prayer, despite the many obstacles, and God will use you as an Apostle in His service’ (The Young Priest), we pray to St Joseph they will persevere in answering the call of God, ‘to bring, Jesus and Mary to a foreign land’.(Cardinal Vaughan) Amare et Servire!
Our twelve students, Cameroons: Kelvin Ndicha, Parfait Fomo, Everistus Nditoh, Bonaventure Achia, Dionysius Akong, Parfait Kijika Brian Ndong. D.R.C: Jeremie Efumo. Kenya: Julius Okech, Michael Owuor, Uganda: Wilson Karugaba, Emmanuel Odong.
Happy Feast to you all for the 19th March.
Liam Durrant MHM
