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Emulate Jesus’ Upbringing, Raise Children in Godly Way: Kenyan Archbishop to Parents

Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of Nairobi Archdiocese. Credit: Archdiocese of Nairobi

The Archbishop of Kenya’s Nairobi Archdiocese has urged parents to emulate Mary and Joseph who raised Jesus in knowledge and wisdom.

In his homily at Queen of Apostles Minor Seminary, Ruaraka, in his Metropolitan See on Tuesday, February 21, Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo reflected on the finding of the child Jesus in the temple and how his parents helped him grow in wisdom and knowledge.

“That kind of knowledge and wisdom that Jesus grew up with was oriented by the life that Mary and Joseph lived,” Archbishop Anyolo said, and added, “They were devoted to God, and in that wisdom, Jesus Christ also took the same orientation.”

“Let them (children) grow from your own experiences and knowledge and your love for God, so that they may also grow towards the same direction,” said the Local Ordinary of Nairobi Archdiocese since November 2021.

He told the parents who had assembled at the Catholic school for the 2024 inaugural Mass that the children would acquire knowledge and wisdom not by them being at the seminary, but according to how they learn it from them (parents) at home.

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“You as parents are so important and element of the growth of the children and the growth of anybody of your son and daughters in getting to know God's love and serve Him,” Archbishop Anyolo said.

The Archbishop urged the parents to brace for questions from their children as they grow up, just like Jesus asked the elders many questions in the temple. He said that the children will be filled with knowledge and wisdom at every level.

“For sure, you will tell me these young people when they come back to your home, they will have increased in knowledge and wisdom in a lot of things,” the Kenyan Archbishop said in his February 20 homily.

He added, “They will be questioning a lot of things, sometimes discomfort will come because of the many questions they will ask and at some point, joy will come because of the enlightenment they give to you. They will be wiser in their way, but they are growing.”

In his Lenten message, Archbishop Anyolo urged the learners at the Catholic minor seminary to embrace the call to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, adding that the “three aspects are called disciplines of our Christian faith.”

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“It is only during this season of lent that we are supposed to do that but we do it intensively at the time of lent so that it may become our way of life, our way of practicing life,” said the Archbishop who started his Episcopal ministry as the Bishop of Kenya’s Kericho Diocese.

He added, “These young people here come to practice their way of life in relationship with God so that they may be perfected in a certain manner which is closer to God Himself in their way of prayer and behavior.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.