Orione Kenya Communities' Meeting

This September 30th, we held our monthly Communities Meeting in the formation house of Nairobi. Were present at this meeting:

Fr Raphael Kailemiah, from Kaburugi Community

Fr James Waituika Njoroge, from Kaburugi Community

Fr Peter Wambulwa, from Kandisi Community

Fr Paul Mboche, from Nairobi Community

Fr Stanislas Gbeissay, from Nairobi Community

Deacon Morris Mawira, from Nairobi Community.

Fr Alejandro Ruiz apologized for a commitment.

The agenda of the meeting focused on the Orionine synod for Africa, which was held in Côte d'Ivoire from last September 8 to 10.

Making the feedback, Father Peter pointed a particular focus on one of the strong points on which the Synodal Fathers have emphasized: the collaboration. He also noted three other components that have defined the work of the Synod, The Formation, The Works of Charity and The Parishes.

September Recollection: “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20)

This day, September 28th, we held our monthly recollection. The moment of sharing was moderated by Father Stan ACHI on the theme of the sacrament of Penance.
Began with the Night Prayer yesterday Friday, this moment of reflection ended with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Joachim AKE.

Here below the full text of this recollection.

Excursion in Luke 5:18-20

Jesus sets the spiritual and physical in the right perspective. Since sin was responsible for the man's paralysis, He deals with the cause first, then the effect. All actions are subject to the law of cause and effect; for every action there is a reaction. The man's physical ailment was not nearly as heavy a burden as his spiritual corruption. In reality, physical healing is meaningless without a sound mind. Psalm 103:3 can be seen as a prophecy that the Christ would forgive sins related to sickness and disease.

Kwaheri Brother Njenga

After almost two months of vacation and some travel complications, Brother Anthony M. Njenga flies tonight for Italy.

Back for the holidays in his native Kenya, brother Anthony, student in Theology in our International Seminary in Rome was to return since last Monday. Being presented in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, he saw himself announced the cancellation of his flight due to the tragic situation which had just occured in the country, following the terrorist attacks of Westgate Mall in Nairobi. The flight reprogrammed for the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, he will go there again, passing nearly all the steps before boarding. But this time, due to a misunderstanding with an agent of the airline company, EgyptAir, he will once again be unable to travel. The latter refused to let him go under pretested of residence permits in Italy. The day of Wednesday will be exploited to clarify and even get a repair from the company for damage caused.

Prayer for the Orionine Missionary Year

Oh God, Father of all that is good,

we thank you for the gift of the missionary vocation

which animated Saint Luigi Orione

and his Little Work of Divine Providence.

In this Orionine Missionary Year

renew that apostolic fire through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Give us a hunger and thirst for souls,

and for the most ardent charity to restore all things in Christ.

Support the faith of the heralds of the Gospel,

with the gift of meekness and strength,

humility and charity.

Raise up new missionary vocations,

young people ready to dedicate their heart, time and goods

to give “along with bread for the body, the divine anointing of faith”

to the poor and outcast.

May the loving arms of the Church reach everyone

and may the unity of all humanity be fulfilled

in the reign of the justice and peace of Christ.

Mary, star of the new evangelisation,

and Saint Luigi Orione intercede for us.

Amen.

Logo and motto for the Missionary Year

Rome, 8^th September 2013

Dear Provincials, Confreres, Sisters, Lay People and Friends of the Orionine Family

The Peace of Christ!

Choice of logo and motto for the Missionary Year.

After having sought some opinions to gather suggestions for the logo and motto for the Missionary Year, we have chosen what you can see at the head of this letter.

The green tree: symbolises “the one tree with many branches” which is the Orionine Family, born of the charism of Don Orione and now with branches spread throughout the world.

The writing: ONLY CHARITY WILL SAVE THE WORLD is a well used motto of Don Orione and expresses the programme and missionary style and it is the motto of this period of government of the Congregation.

Orionine Missionary Year: is written in red at the base of the tree with the year 2013-2014.

I kindly ask that each area of the congregation send this message to the confreres translated into the local language.

The logo and the motto can be used in the various communications and publications.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy apostolate in the missions with the grace of God.

Yours fraternally,

Fr. Joao Batista de Freitas

Missionary Apostolate.

Message from the General Councillor for the Missions

Dear Confreres,

I am attaching three messages from the General Councillor for the Missions, Fr Joao Batista de Freitas for the Orionine Missionary Year 2013-2014 which starts on 20th October this year.

Please start discussing and making plans for celebrations in each nation of the Delegation for this year, especially celebrating the arrival of the first Orionine Missionaries to each country.

God bless you all,

Fr Malcolm

****************************************

Roma, 15^th August 2013

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Provincials, Vice-provincials, Delegate and  those in charge of the Missionary Apostolate,

The Peace of Christ!

With their letter of 1th July 2013 Fr Flavio Peloso, Superior General FDP and Sr Maria Mabel Spagnuolo, Superior General PSMC announced that from 20^th October 2013 until 8^th December 2014 we shall celebrate the ORIONINE MISSIONARY YEAR  in remembrance of the departure from Genoa of the first missionaries sent by Don Orione to Brazil.

It will be a great opportunity to revive the missionary and charismatic ardour which led the Saint of Charity to send out the first missionaries.

Some provinces have already announced some events for the celebrations in their respective territories.

As the beginning of this centenary, which involves the whole Orionine Family, approaches, I will be kindly asking the provinces, vice-provinces and delegation which have not yet made their plans for the Missionary Year to do so and send them to the General Secretary for the Missions.

Gradually the General Secretary for the Missions will also send suggestions and proposals for the events and celebrations during the centenary.

May this Orionine Missionary Year unite us more closely to Christ, because only in Him is there certainty for the future and a guarantee of genuine and long-lasting love.

Fr Joao Batista de Freitas

Missionary Apostolate

Nairobi Westgate Tragedy, three days of national mourning

Glory be to God, the prayers of each and everyone have had their fulfillment. As announced by the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, the tragedy of Westgate is ended.

The four-day siege at Nairobi's Westgate shopping centre is over.

In a televised address to the nation, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said five attackers were shot dead by troops and 11 suspects are in custody.

Three days of national mourning have been declared starting on Wednesday.

President Kenyatta said that several bodies lying under rubble from collapsed parts of the building were still to be recovered.

While praising God for his assistance and relief, let us remain in prayer, united with those who have lost loved ones, those who are injured and those traumatized by this sad event.

Harambee! #WeAreOne! May we all be truly united in a strong Kenyan nation blessed by God!

Ave Maria and forwards with St. Luigi Orione!

Nairobi, the Westgate Tragedy

Since last Saturday, September  21st, around 12:45 pm, our Country, Kenya is facing one of the most tragic terrorist attack of its young story. An Islamist armed group is spreading terror. Taking siege at the Westgate Mall, the terrorists have cast a shadow to the whole city, making, according to the ministerial source, at least 62 killed and over 200 injured.

Until the day of Tuesday morning the situation seems somewhat critical not only because of the psychosis of this terrorist act, but also because the siege difficulty goes under control. The eyes of each and everyone, the voices and hearts are turned to Heaven imploring the help of our Heavenly Father. Charitable activities of all kinds are also raised to let speak the hearts.

The Sons of Divine Providence united in prayer are not failling to show their closeness to the whole people. May by the intercession of our saint Founder, St. Luigi Orione and of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, God brings relief, reconfort and consolation to our country.

The Big five's birthday

Hear about the "big five" in Kenya we immediately think about the African lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo.

It is not the case in this day of this group. Speaking about the "Big Five" today, we refer to this great celebration we had in our community. It comes to the commemoration of the birthday of the Father Director, Father Paul Mboche which was on last September 9 , and that of four of our seminarians in philosophy Omumani Augustus (August 30), Mumia Wyclif (September 14), Peter Karanja (September 16) and Denis Aoka (September 18).

It was a great community feast and even the first celebration since the beginning of the academic year 2013/2014.

To our "Big five" we still wish a "Happy Birthday" and accompany them with our prayers in all their enterprises and in their formation journey. God watches other us all and bless us.

"I will allow no sleep to my eyes ... till I find a place for the Lord!"

“I will not enter my house or go to my bed, I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Ps 132)

As did David each one of us has made the oath of building a house for our God.

Although the first and the only true home of the Lord is the heart and life of the men he created himself, the Temple is a symbolic sign of this presence of God among his people. As well, the Temple of the Orionine Community of Nairobi continues to sprout.

How is the Orionine Congregation in Africa?

The Orionine Synod for Africa, Bonoua (Côte d’Ivoire).

Representatives of the Orionines communities in Africa and Madagascar look together on the evolution of the Congregation in Africa.

Many were the representatives of the Orionine Congregation from Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mozambique and Madagascar gathered from 8^th to 10^th September, in Bonoua, for the "Orionine Synod for Africa." Were also presente, the Superior General Don Flavio Peloso, the Councillor General Don Eldo Musso, the Italian Provincial Superior Don Pierangelo Ondei , Fr Aparecido Da Silva, Superior of the Province of South Brazil, Fr Malcolm Dyer our Delegate Superior and Fr Basile Aka Superior of the Vice-Province our Lady of Africa for French speakers.

Eleven hours for Syria

Obeying the invitation of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Orionine Community of Nairobi have dedicated this day, 7th September, 11 hours of fervent prayer for peace in the world and particularly in Syria.

So after the Holy Mass in honor of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, the whole day was dedicated to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and fasting.

It was concluded with Vespers and the prayer for peace in Syria presided over by Father Joachim Ake.

Eight youth in Discernment of Vocations

"Come and see"

Since last Monday September 2, eight youth men in Discernment of Vocations:
     + Geoffrey Njuguna
     + Felix Odhiambo Arogo
     + Samuel Muthoka Mutua
     + Francis Maina
     + Cornelius Kirwa
     + Thomas Makongo
     + Austine Mamusende
     + Robert Kiprop
are taking part to a session "Come and See" in the Community of the Formation House in Nairobi.

All from Kenya, have been invited to this first session of the academic year 2013-2014 which is from Monday to Saturday. Six days are devoted to them to enable them to rub closer our Orionine reality but also enable us to discover them, who knows, maybe tomorrow one of them will felt called by the Lord and would decide to follow him in our religious family.

Global Prayer Vigil for Peace

Please don't forget that Sept 7 (Saturday) is a global day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the whole world.

Please share so everyone would know.

Pope Francis requests other religious sects to join.

"I appeal strongly for peace"

Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world to be held this coming Saturday, September 7th, 2013. The Pope made the announcement during the course of remarks ahead of the traditional Angelus prayer this Sunday. Below, please find the full text of the Holy Father's Angelus appeal.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Hello!

Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to make add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.

There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.

With Pope Francis, all in prayer and fasting for Peace

Dear Brothers

We are holding a meeting of the Council in Campocroce (Venice), and we have devoted a moment of reflection and prayer in response to the Pope's appeal for Syria and for peace.

Let us make our own the concerns of Pope Francis and trust in the power of the supplication of the Church for peace.

The Holy Father, during the Angelus on Sunday, September 1, said: "Brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative."

Nothing much to add to the words of the Pope if not to invite the full support and fulfillment to his request with the childishly love.

In all our environments, schools, charitable works, parishes and seminaries, let us promote initiatives of prayer and fasting, as desired by Pope Francis.

The Lord have mercy on our world that walks forgetting his loving fatherhood and, consequently, the brotherhood that unites people and the peoples of the human family. "Humanity needs to see gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace," as the Pope said. Let us also combine our words and our deeds next Saturday and everyday life.

May Don Orione combines his intercession from Heaven to that of the entire Orionine Family.

In Christ.

Don Flavio Peloso

(Superior General)

Appeal for Peace

Dear Confreres, 

dear sisters and brothers,

Today 1st of September, Pope Francis has made a very strong appeal, from deep in his heart, for peace in the world and especially in Syria.  He has declared next Saturday 7th September as a day of prayer and fasting for Peace in the World and asks all the dioceses of the world to organize also some kind of liturgical prayer for this.  I think that our charism and fourth vow of obedience to the Pope come very much into play in this. 

Try to participate in whatever your local bishop organizes or asks you to organize in your parish or community.

Let us organize in all our communities a generous response to this appeal which the Pope makes first to us Catholics and then to all Christians, believers of all other regions and all men and women of good will.

Our community at Zarqa in Jordan should be a symbol of this response since there we have a shrine dedicated to Our Lady Queen of Peace, whom Pope Francis is inviting us to pray to, in these days of violence and war in various parts of the world but especially in Syria.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Fr Malcolm