JUNE 18, 2016
Fr. Cyril Ingosi (left) and Fr. Dedan Munyinyi (right) are newly ordained Pallottine Priests from the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega and the Archdiocese of Nairobi respectively. The two who belong to the East Africa Delegature of the Mother of Divine Love Province were ordained to the order of priesthood on Saturday June 18, 2016.
Preparations for this ordination started after their approval by the Provincial Council followed by dimissorial letters sent to His Eminence John Cardinal Njue of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. From June 12 to 16, 2016, the two deacons had their retreat at Subbiaco Benedictine spiritual center in Nairobi. This was a period of intense spiritual preparation before their ordination and they were accompanied by Fr. Jean de Dieu, a Pallottine priest from the Holy Family Province of Rwanda-Congo. This was followed by silent reflection at the Pallottine House of Studies in Nairobi but at the same time Fr. Boniface Muro and Fr. Reginald Kimathi prepared them for the day with some spiritual exercises. On Friday June 17, 2016, Fr. James Amasi, Fr. Phirmin Mwenda, Fr. Emmanuel Malley, Fr. Innocent Chami, Fr. Ngalya from Singida diocese and three Pallottine Sisters arrived at the Pallottine House of Studies in Nairobi for the occasion.
On June 18, 2016, we were all set for the ordination. The mass started at 10 AM with the procession from the sacristy to the altar of Sacred Heart Parish St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church Dagoretti Corner. Choirs from Gallapo Parish and from Sacred Heart Parish Dagoretti Corner animated the Mass. The main celebrant, Rt. Rev. Bishop David Kamau, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi thanked the Pallottines for their pastoral work and congratulated us for the two deacons. He also thanked their parents for donating them to the Church. In his homily, the bishop called on Christians to support the newly ordained priests in their pastoral ministry. He emphasized mutual respect calling on Christians not to interfere with their ministry or not to nail them to the cross.
At the end of the mass, I thanked the bishop for ordaining our deacons and for the good relationship we have enjoyed over the years in the Archdiocese. I also thanked the families of the two newly ordained priests and the parishioners both from their home parishes and the parishes of their pastoral fieldwork. This was followed by final blessings by the bishop, a meal and entertainment. The bishop left immediately after lunch because of his other responsibilities. We welcomed some of the visitors to the Pallottine House of Studies for supper. They were very happy with the generosity of the Pallottines. It was really a wonderful celebration. May Almighty God bless our newly ordained Priests! Amen.
Fr. REGINALD Fabian Temu, sca.
Provincial delegate east Africa