To
many this sounds a big joke and to you the reader your hopes must be high.
Two
days of 2014 marked this; 24th and 31st December. It is a
time when both Christians and non Christians have a bee hive of activities
around the clock. Christ is yet to be born and the New Year to be ushered in;
for the latter business booms to maximum. But in Kizito house Novitiate
community ye trends were very different. As a community we decided to have a
special program on the two dates; ie A moment of recollection and
prayer-solitude in the mountains.
24th
December saw us for Loruvani Hills. Had we become mountain climbers in one way
or another? No ,we sought to alone in prayer just with Jesus. We set off from
the community at around 10:30 am with a bright day’s weather. Reaching the
starting point; St. Simon the Apostle parish at Loruvani, with the
MSOLA(Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa) in the neighbourhood, a simple
drizzle that took by surprise never discouraged us. We were determined and we
meant to start in the church which unfortunately was locked at that moment of
arrival. Led by our Novice Master, Fr. Kizito, we wasted no time but headed for
our pilgrimage destination-the hills.
An
increase in the rain caused us a setback and we had to think twice. Here I saw
greater courage than never before especially from the Novices who were not any
closer to retreating or surrendering. Summing up the situation in agreement, we
decided to head back to the church, have our Mid-day prayers and the rosary, hoping
that the weather could change then we proceed. Unfortunately the rain increased
even the more. Our faith was tested I will say! Considering the time factor we
decided that each one go on with personal prayer moments with Jesus and meditation.
Later at around 3:30 pm, we met together and thus concluded. We also paid a
visit to the MSOLA community nearby to greet them and to wish them a Merry
Christmas. Thereafter our journey homewards commenced so as to prepare for the
vigil mass and on the occasion to celebrate with the entire Assumptionist
congregation, the 164th Anniversary of the Augustinians of the
Assumption.
Despite
a few disappointments in the course of the day, we felt really convinced and
ready to receive the new born child, Jesus Christ. To make mention of it all, the
Christmas was worthy celebrating.
But
this was just the beginning. We aimed for greater heights. On e may ask why two
days of fasting and prayer more so on days when everybody is in the moods of
celebration? Was the store running dry?! As you continue reading patiently, all
your thirst will be quenched.
Yes, Jesus was yet to be born and now we
were ushering in the New Year. Why not just enjoy ourselves? This we did to
have a special moment with our Lord. And also, we decided to fast on these two
days so that what we should have enjoyed goes to the poor and vulnerable. On
the other hand, we meant to be with Jesus in so humble a manger; He the King
and Saviour yet also God was born.
This
time round on 3rd, we headed for Kisongo, ’Canaan’ pilgrimage site. No
one dared take breakfast. Fr. Arnold drove us there and on arrival we lost no
time, there and then, armed with our prayer books and a few necessities. “The
Directory” gave us our beginning orientation with a sharing on “Silence”. I led in the way of the cross and in and with
Christ we faced the hills. As we proceeded, Novices Dominic, Edward and Kizito
alternatively joined in leading the other stations so did the turns get on.
That
place is just good enough to bring one more closely to Jesus’ experience up to
Calvary. As you climb up the hills from one station to another, believe me or
not, you share bit by bit in Christ’s agony and yet it is such a beautiful experience. What a wonderful
moment which brought us to Jesus! “At certain moments without a wooden cross
upon my shoulders, no whips on my back, no thorny crown, kicks, slaps, wounds bleeding,
I was just imagining the great love Jesus had for each one of us that kept Him
going” Getting to the top of the final hill and the last station, I felt really
Jesus was present especially that I never heard one complain, no dry lips, all
was smiles!
Thereafter,
it was a moment of solitude and prayer; each one in a silent place to the
advantage of the silence in the area until 4:00 pm when we met again for the
concluding prayer then started our journey down the hill and later homewards to
prepare for the New Year vigil mass.
Talk of the “Desert” we experienced, we
left our community and set off to spend silent moments in prayer and
meditation, no food till evening. Like Jesus, we made it even though we never
met the devil to tempt us directly ,no stones to change into bread etc.
All
in all, I thank God for such an experience.
HAPPY
AND PROSPEROUS 2015.
Novice Augustine Joe Byamukama
Kizito
House( Arusha Tz),2014-2015
