Don Orione Saint: Already 10 years

As here in kenya the celebration will be for tomorrow with the priestly ordination of Deacon Morris Mawira, we have chosen share with you today 16th May the wishes of our Delagate Fr Malcolm Der.

Happy Feast of St Luigi Orione, ten years since his canonization!

Please pray for those confreres from India who renew their vows today and for Deacon Morris Mawira Gichia from Kenya who will be ordained priest tomorrow in Meru, Kenya and Deacon Mateusz Antoniak from Poland, who spent his tirocinium in India, who will be ordained at Zdunka Wola, Poland, tomorrow.

Please also remember in your prayers Fr Lawrence Tosatto, who has been in India for many years and who is undergoing tests and treatment at our house in Bergamo, near Milan. 

Thanks for your prayers for Fr John Perrotta, who is recovering after a procedure to improve his heart function.

Let us reflect on these words of St Luigi Orione, quoted by Fr Flavio in his recent circular letter on how to understand and move with Pope Francis: "Already several times I have told you that to truly love the Lord, Our Lady and the holy things of the Church, we need almost to be fixated on them...We must be fixated   uniquely on that which concerns the love and glory of God, of our Lady and the salvation of souls....what was our Lady’s attitude to Jesus? You know the answer: She lived only for him! She spoke only of him and for him, she prayed and suffered quite freely for him;  I would say she thought that which Jesus thought – if that were possible – so much did she,  through her love,  want to express her feelings, her thoughts as those of Jesus...to live in complete union, in everything with Jesus” (In the Footsteps of Don Orione p. 88).

Fr. Malcolm

32th Graduation at Consolata Institute of Philosophy

“To be philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity and trust”. (Henri David Thoreau)

It is led by this quotation that our young students, among almost hundred other from different Congregations and Religious Institutes have closed their three years of philosophical formation at the Consolata Institute of Philosophy of Nairobi.

Thomas Gwaro, Denis Aoka and Augustus Omumani are since Friday  09^th May, graduated ex art of Philosophy.

The theme of this graduation ceremony was “Integrating Christian Faith in Transformational Leadership for Social Change”. The Guest of honour, Prof. Nicholas Letting, Vice-Chancellor of the Management University of Africa did not fail to invite the new Graduated in Philosophy to manage well their own life, but also and most their faith and their new on taken mission and stage of formation for the wellbeing of the people of God.

Nairobi Chapel: Less than three weeks

Less than three weeks to the blessing and official opening, what about the Orionine chapel of Nairobi?

It has henceforth its final adornment , unless of a major last minute changes. At the heart of the whole edifice is given to see the tabernacle. In an Africanism and exceptional beauty, it is the size and shape of the chapel. A masterpiece work of a young Kenyan artist and woodworker, Nicodemus. He is also the one who provided the interior furniture, cross and benches.

From the outside, florists and decorators have put some how their own, although some thing is always to be perfect.

In the center of compound of the formation house, this chapel wants to be the best possible place for meeting and meditation for those who pass by. Matter of estimation, it could accommodate 150 to 200 worshipers.

Inside, the lighting of the day gives a simple brilliance that actually invites all to gather there.

Any time you pass by Karen Langata in Nairobi, please do not hesitate stop there for a moment of prayer with our seminarians and the entire community.

Kandisi Parish: “Youth are the sun or the storm of tomorrow” Don Orione

The youth of Kandisi Parish, since Tuesday 22nd April are in a seminar for three days at one of our out station.

Around 20 youth, most of them from Kandisi Community have met at "Maji Mazuri Secondary School", in Entimikomi to think about their role in the community. The first day, with Father Peter, they have tryed to discover their own reality and how to put this reality at the service of the Church. With Father Stan, the point have been "How to build tomorrow?"

Here is the text of this second point:

“YOUTH ARE THE SUN

OR THE STORM OF TOMORROW”

Saint Luigi Orione, said that Youth are the sun or the storm of tomorrow. I think in this historical moment in which we are living, young people are both the sun as well as the storm, and also you will agree with me, not only of tomorrow but even of today and now. We the youth, you and I, now more than ever, we feel the need to have strong certainty. We need not only to know where are we going? But also how are we going? And why are we going, isn't. We want sincerity, freedom, justice and peace. We want by our side some people who can walk and work with us, listen to us and watch over us. Just like Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus as we have just read in today's Gospel.

Youth wants people who can give them the real freedom, which means responsibility, love, truth and commitment for going good to all, doing good always, and never harm no one. I remember when I was in Italy last year, Pope Francis was answering to some elders complaining about the young generation, saying that the new generation is corrupt, sinful and so one. Pope Francis answered saying that this generation is only living according to her time. In fact, young people today have an inexhaustible thirst for Christ. We, you and I are yearning for Christ, isn't? Only that for some time we make choice of wrong means to look for Christ. Many models we use to choose are really not a models to be followed. We feel a thirst for joyful witnesses who have met Jesus and bet on him all their lives.

Being like you, I know that we want a Church, a Community and a parish which still on the ground, and ever closer to your requirements. And you are right to ask so.

Only that we don't have to forget that the Church as association, family and community is also requiring something from you. She wants your courage, your energy and your strength to build her future and ensure this future. You are the sun or the storm of tomorrow. What you will decide, likewise will be the “tomorrow” of our Mother Church.

Orionine Missionary Year: Official Opening of Nairobi's Chapel

The Community Don Orione of Nairobi has the great joy to invite you to the ceremony of the blessing and official opening of the new Chapel of the Formation House located in Karen Nairobi, just after Kenya School of Law. It will be in May 23^rd, by His Excellence, Charles Daniel Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio of Kenya.

This celebration is to be inserted as part of the festivities of the Orionine Missionary Year (2013-2014).

The Superior General's Birthday

Time goes by

But the days are not lost,

On the contrary they are collected

Like grains of sand

In the bottom of the hourglass.

Every year is like a book

With 365 blank pages.

Birthdays are special days.

We close a chapter

Of our lives

And we open another.

Make of each day your masterpiece,

Using all the colours of life.

Dearest Don Flavio,

You are special,

Never forget,

Make special the people

To whom you give love,

Friendship and affection,

In order not to waste

Even one day

Of your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=rEc8rGonrQw&NR=1

Follow Christ in the religious family of Don Orione

Back in image on the ceremony of the perpetual vows.

As usual for such great ceremonies, the joy was effective at Monte Mario this Sunday, April 6, 2014. Surrounded by friends, confreres and relatives, Br Anthony Njenga and Br Andre' Koungbanwobougou said yes to God for ever to follow Christ in the religious family of the Little Work of Divine Providence by the celebration of their perpetual vows.  Fr Flavio presided the Mass and many priest-friends from Kenya and West Africa and Sisters and Lay People attended, as well as many confreres, at Mater Dei Parish Church, Monte Mario.

The surprise a cake in the image of the new chapel Don Orione of Nairobi.