ST. LUIGI ORIONE PARISH, GAITU IN MERU DIOCESE OFFICIALLY OPENED AND PARISH CHURCH CONSECRATED

 On 12th June 2022 marked the beginning of a milestone in our Kenya Region. It was full of pomp and colour as the Christians of St Luigi Orione Gaitu Parish joined in the celebration of the official opening of St Luigi Orione Gaitu Parish and consecration of the Church presided over by Rt Rev Bishop Salesius Mugambi, Bishop of Meru Diocese.

The celebration began by welcoming the Bishop from the market place until the parish signifying the long awaited day for the faithfuls of Gaitu. Thereafter the former chairman gave a short history of how the parish began from our two mother churches Nkabune and Chaaria respectively not forgetting the challenges they underwent during the securing of the Land and the building of the Church. 

Thereafter followed the procession into the Parish Church for the blessing and consecration of the building as a sign of purification the place of worship. In addition, the members of the parish pastoral council were presents to the Bishop for the blessing who later asked them to work in collaboration with the parish priest.

In his homily the Bishop emphasized working in unity as the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy spirit). He also emphasized on supporting the Don Orione Fathers in their mission in the Parish and encouraged the Congregation to continue with the good work in the diocese. 

Fr. Maurice Mawira who will be the first parish priest of this new Orionine Parish recited the profession of faith (the creed) in front of the Bishop and the faithful. When the time for the anointing of the altar and walls with Chrism oil reached, the Christians remained calm, and their eyes fixed on the altar since it was a new experience for them. Then followed the procession of five pots signifying the five wounds and incensing signifying a holy place where the sacrifice will be offered during the holy mass. 

The climax of the main activities of the Day was the lighting of the candles on the altar and 12 candles signifying the foundation of the Church on the 12 apostles. The faith of St Luigi Orione Gaitu Parish is founded on the Apostles and the parishioners should uphold the teachings of the Apostles; the Bishop insisted.

Before the mass ended, we had the blessing of the new tabernacle where Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will be placed. The Bishop emphasized that the Christians should not leave Jesus alone and respect the Church at all times since it is a place of worship. After the Eucharistic celebration, the bishop proceeded to officially open and bless the community house where the members of our religious family will be residing as they serve the faithful of St. Luigi Orione Gaitu Parish. 

Don Orione charismatic family was well represented during the celebration since we had our Little Missionary Sisters of Charity, the Blind Sacramentine Sisters, the Orionine Lay Movement members. 

Fr. Thomas Gwaro congratulated the faithful of Gaitu Parish and gave a message on behalf of the Regional Superior Fr. Njenga who was in Italy for the General Chapter of the Congregation. It was a day full of joy and happiness for the whole family of St Luigi orione Gaitu Parish in Meru.We thank everyone who supported in a big and small to make this dream come true. We ask for your prayers for the whole family of Gaitu parish. May our mother Mary intercede for us always. May St. Luigi Orione pray for us. May God bless St Luigi Orione Gaitu parish and The Sons of Divine Providence in Kenya. AVE MARIA E AVANTI

DON ORIONE FATHERS START A COMMUNITY IN KISUMU ARCHDIOCESE-KENYA

It was all pomp and celebration in Nyadorera, Siaya County in the Archdiocese of Kisumu when the Kenyan region welcomed their 5^th community, St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish. The region had just culminated their silver jubilee celebrations and two days after on Monday 20^th a new mission was born. 

On Sunday 19 night, Christians had spent the whole night, in the mother Parish St. Lawrence Uradi, in a, eucharistic adoration vigil praying for the inauguration of the new. On Monday morning, at 6.30am, the pilgrimage started towards the new parish of Nyadorera. This act of pilgrimage to the new parish is also an aspect of inculturation in the sense that, in the local area and according to the culture and tradition of Luo people who are in Kisumu, when a young adult is ready to start a home, he is accompanied from the parents home to his home as a sign of guidance and support from the parents. The people walked to the old mother parish to the new created parish praying, the way of the cross, the rosary and with songs and dances.Hundreds assembled at the new mission grounds where mass was conducted by Fr Fredrick the Parish Priest of St Lawrence Uradi which is the Mother Parish and a sermon was given by Fr Ojijo, the Dean of Siaya deanery.

In a very lively sermon with a mix of Dholuo (local language), Kiswahili and English, Fr Ojijo mainly dwelt on the need for the Christians of the new parish to be people of faith and to actively support their priests who will be working there.

In some five points, Fr Ojijo urged the parish leaders to be at the forefront of leading with faith. This is through constant prayer. All parish work must begin and end in prayer, led by the leader.

On self-sustenance, Fr Ojijo brought in the centrality and importance of offertory, supporting the priests in prayer, in kind and in material. He taught them that, to move forward they had to own the priests and the parish.

In a tickle, he told them that the smartness of a priest reflects the generosity of the Christians that he serves. On behalf of Fr Raphael, he urged the Christians to be actively involved in providing for the basic needs as well as all what is needed in the parish.

10 Kenyan orionine priests, 25 seminarians and brothers as well as Orionine Lay Movement members were present at the inauguration of the new Parish Community.

The new Parish will be served by two priests Fr Raphael Kailemiah assisted by Fr James Njoroge. We wish them all the best as they purpose to be missionaries of Providence in the Western part of Kenya.

A new marriage or family, with passing of time, is marked by a new life. The following day on Tuesday 22, Fr. Raphael baptized 46 infants as a sign of new life in the Parish.St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish has three Chapels: St Elizabeth of Hungary, Parish Center, St Simon Peter Mahero and St Christine Sumba. The parish is located in Siaya county and borders Bungoma Diocese. It has a blend of Luo and the Abaluhya people. We wish well to Fr. Raphael and Fr. James as they serve the people of Nyadorera and as they make the orionine presence be felt.

Hymn of Charity by Don Orione

THE WORK OF THE ORATORIOS

The work of the Oratories Today: The concept of the Oratorio was born and developed in Italy and has a long tradition. Many saints including Don Orione have given importance to oratorio. The work of oratoris, or Sunday schools or boys clubs are called not only to be limited to the place where our congregation are grown.

Oratories in Latin America: In the religious province our lady of La Guardia in Latin America, may communities have oratories. Priest or religious brother takes the spiritual director place. Common activities of Oratorio are human, religious and liturgical formation. Human means human values like friendship, sports etc. the devotion to St. Luigi Orione. Other activities can be visiting clients of Cottolengo, joining artwork and seminars, or being part of the church choir. A survey among the members of the oratorio said “to part of oratorio is to have second home.”

Oratorios in Asia: The Children of the oratorio San Lorenzo in Philippines said in a survey that “to be part of oratorio is like a family.”  They have become respectful children and youth. 

Oratorios as an essential dimension of the Orionine youth apostolate

Don Orione gave a lot of importance to the Oratorios. Luigi Orione himself was formed in an oratorio, being a student of Don Bosco in Turin. The festive oratorio is our blessed nest. The festive oratorios are still the health of society. Each much have its own festive oratorio.  The little work arose from oratorio. Salvation of all the youth of the entire world will come about not by colleges but Oratorios.

Humble beginnings: You can begin in a small courtyard and small room. Very soon a new people will join the oratorio. Discipline is necessary: Priest/brother is should have humble, fatherly and elder brotherly love. One should Praise in general and should not do any partiality among the members. Method of  Don Orione’s teaching method is “Christian fatherly method.” To become young with the young.

Documents

Oratorio and youth center have very important role in constitution norms; c#120, N#109. Documents of the church; Orione’s projects are vocation for youth.

Pastoral Recommendations

Each religious member in the community should have a role in Oratorio. Oratorio is to insert the project or schedule accordance with the diocese youth ministry. Oratorio is fertile ground for oratorio. 

(Summary of the Talk given by  Fr. Martin Mroz fdp at Don Orione Theologicum Kenya)

The Perpetual Vows of Our Brothers

In filipino language, there a common used expression; "walang forever". it means that there is no forever. This expression leads me to reflect on the perpetual vows of our seven brothers of The Sons of Divine Providence. They recently have said "yes" to the Lord "forever" by hoping to follow more closely the foot steps of Don Orione in journey towards God.



The celebration was taken place in Kandisi parish under the care of The sons of Divine Providence. The main celebrant was fr. Peter fdp regional superior. Delegate superior Rev. fr. Marcelo fdp was also present. fr. Malcolm, fr. Njenga, fr. Arnaud and fr. Jeremiah were very much present and behind the success of the ceremony. Br. Augustus, Br. Joseph, Br. Thomas, Br. Paul, Br. Dennis, Br. Arvind and Br. Jackson have said "Yes" perpetually to the Lord by entering into the Orionine family.

This is amazing to see how God works on these brothers by showing blessings and Grace on them. It is a joy and happiness to see the people walking on the Lord's path. we orione theologicum would like to congratulate them by using the word of our founder (saint Luigi Orione): "DO GOOD ALWAYS, GOO TO ALL AND HARM NO ONE."

Author: Br. John Carl Volente, Fdp

Second Year Theology

80 years Birthday of St. Luigi Orione in Heaven

Saint Luigi Orione was born in Piedmont, Northern Italy, at Pontecurone, a village near Tortona on 23rd June 1872. The young Luigi felt he wanted to be a priest and joined the Franciscans, but had to leave due to ill health. He was welcomed by St. John Bosco, but left the Salesians after a few years to become a seminarian in his own Diocese of Tortona. Don Orione loved everybody; but the poor, the young, the elderly, the sick and people with disabilities were his special friends.

He died in Italy on 12th March 1940 after sending a loving message to the Pope: His last words were: "Jesus.. Jesus.. Jesus." His body is incorrupt and can be venerated in Tortona. He was beatified in Rome on 26th October 1980 by Pope John Paul II. The same Pope declared him a Saint on 16th May 2004.

The ideal of Don Orione's life was to live and to die for the spiritual welfare of people, serving Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother Church and its head, the Pope. His motto was, "Do good always, to all, evil to none". This year as we orionines celebrate His 80 years of Birthday in heaven, His life encourages us to follow very closely his motto "Do good always, to all, evil to none."







Author: Br. George Fernandes, Fdp

Second Year Theology

Merry Christmas and Happy 2015

The great innovation of the birth of Jesus is that God's face, before hiding, is made visible to all, even to those who do not believe. God can be seen. God has shown his face, "the imprint of his nature" (Heb 1:3) in the love of Jesus. From the birth in Bethlehem to the cross on Calvary, the entire earthly existence of Jesus shows that the face of God is love.

The Communities of the Sons of Divine Providence of Nairobi, Kandisi and Kaburugi wish you a Merry Christmas. May this season bring you joy and laughter.