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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
