THE PERPETUEL AND TEMPORARY VOWS CELETRATED AT EMMANUEL HOUSE

Bro MATICHA Cayus made perpetual vows

God has been calling people since the origins of the world. In the Old Testament as well as in the New. If we turn our eyes towards the Old Testament we shall find that God called Abraham to leave his father’s home and to go to the land he «the Lord» was going to show him. Gn 12.1. He also called Moses and sent him to the king of Egypt so that he can lead his people out of slavery. Exod. 3. 10. On the same path of calls, he also called Jeremiah:  « I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born, I selected you to be a prophet to the nations». Jer. 1.5.  In the New Testament, we have figures like Mary, «The Virgin of Nazareth who was called to become mother of the Messiah. Lk 1:30. In Matthew  4, 19, Jesus said to his disciples «come with me and I will teach you how to catch men». Is that not another kind of call? Some people nowadays, ask whether God is really still calling people from their own businesses for his mission the same way he used to do in the past. Of course, yes. But, if there can be a grain of difference it is only that God actually manifests himself in the Church built on the Apostles. Since the Church has gotten the mandate from Jesus Christ (Matthew 16: 18-19.), it is through this Church that the power of God is still moving all over the world. In this same way, that power of God, that is «the spirit of God» lent today upon the Assumption of East Africa.

With young religious we are Brothers

In the mass that took place at Emmanuel House, this power of God called brother Maticha Nyarombe to the perpetual vows and four novices ( Augustine Byamukama, Edward Kabiito, Kizito Ssembajjwe and Dominic Muendo Mutinda) to the temporary vows. The celebration started at 5 pm. It was presided over by Fr. Emmanuel Kahindo Kihugho, General Vicar of the Congregation. In his homily, Fr. Emmanuel Kahindo Kihugho emphasized the image of the good shepherd who knows and even suffers with his sheep.  The Christians who attended this celebration came from four sides of the world. This, made the mass to be celebrated in many languages.  Congratulations to Fr. Kombi, who did his best to print the readings in three languages: English, French and Spanish. This initiative helped all the community present to walk on the same path. The five congregations of the great family of the Assumption which are Religious of the Assumption RA, Augustinians of the Assumption A.A. Oblates of the Assumption O.A, Little Sisters of the Assumption L.S.A or PESA, the Orants of the Assumption ORA, were represented. This chance was possible because of the meeting they have been holding in Nairobi since July, 9, 2015. At the end of the mass, that is at 7:15 pm all the Christian communities and the invited guests which attended the celebration were invited to the dining room. Together with the brothers and sisters in the Assumption, they cheered the newly committed brothers.

Brothers with those who renewed

To all the celebrants of the day, using the words of Francis, our Pope, in his last letter on Consecrated Life, I wish them «to leave behind a worldly Church with superficial spirituality  and pastoral trappings, in order to breathe the pure air of the Holy Spirit who frees the religious from the self-centeredness cloaked in an outward religiosity bereft of God. They should not allow themselves to be robbed of the Gospel». And, as a member of the community of Emmanuel House, I sincerely testify that my heart overflows with gratitude to all of those who have actively and silently worked hard to make this day a joyful and memorable one. May God reward them abundantly.

Br. KATHEMBO TSONGO Dieudonne a.a