Let’s “continue to inspire hope”: Catholic Bishop to the Consecrated in Kenya at Planned Walk ahead of 2025 Jubilee Year

At the official launch, on December 2024, the Holy Father is set to continue the tradition of opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Jubilee Year provides the people of God across the globe an opportunity to participation in various planned jubilee events at the Vatican and in their respective Episcopal Sees. 

In his homily during the “Consecrated Life Walk” planned in anticipation of the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year and the October 2025 Jubilee of Consecrated Life, Bishop Kamomoe described women and men Religious as “beacons of hope”.

“The world watches us, and whenever we appear joyful, despite challenges, we continue to inspire hope,” he said, and added, “Imagine if Priests, Bishops, or Nuns looked miserable; they would hardly inspire young people to join Consecrated Life.”

“That is why I always remind vocation directors: let them see you serving the Lord joyfully. Being joyful does not mean having no challenges – Jesus faced challenges yet bore the cross joyfully,” one of the two Auxiliary Bishops of ADN further said. 

He emphasized the need for the Consecrated to foster joy and make it part of their lifestyle, saying, “I believe in serving the Lord joyfully and in finding fulfillment through service because as pilgrims and Consecrated people, we are beacons of hope.”

Bishop Kamomoe recognized the challenges that the Consecrated experience in multi-cultural communities and advocated for harmonious encounters and peaceful coexistence. 

The fact of multicultural communities, he said, “is an area we should reflect on and pray about so that God can help us live in unity despite our diversity.”

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop underlined the need to appreciation individual contributions to the community, and added, “All roles are important because we serve the same Christ.”

As part of the preparations for the launch of the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, the October 26 “Consecrated Life Walk” aimed to create awareness of Religious and Consecrated Life in the ADN.

The walk that brought together dozens of member Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) also sought to amplify the call to “universal fraternity, listening to the cry of the poor, the care and custody of creation and peace among ourselves and the whole world.”

In his homily, Bishop Kamomoe acknowledged lauded the Clergy, women and men Religious for their service to communities, including facilitating formal education, healthcare, social justice, and catechesis.

Referring to the readings of the day, he highlighted themes of “universal fraternity, solidarity with the poor, care for creation, and the pursuit of peace” as central to Consecrated Life.

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry on April 6 urged women and men Religious to embody the patience of God, particularly in their ministry to the poor and the vulnerable.

Echoing Pope Francis’ emphasis on stewardship of creation, Bishop Kamomoe reminded the Consecrated of their role in caring for the environment.

He went on to call upon women and men Religious to renew their commitment as Consecrated and urged them to reflect on their fruitfulness in ministry.

(Story continues below)

“Let us strive to be not just present, but truly fruitful in our ministries, helping our sisters and brothers grow in faith,” the Kenyan Catholic Bishop, who will turn 62 on November 26 appealed.

Meanwhile, in his remarks before flagging off the October 26 “Consecrated Life Walk” at Regina Cael Karen Parish, the Local Ordinary of ADN, Archbishop  Philip Subira Anyolo, urged the participants in the walk to go beyond the physical journey, describing it a “powerful symbol of our collective pilgrimage in faith.”

The “Consecrated Life Walk” they were about to undertake, Archbishop Anyolo said, is an “indispensable treasure that continues to enrich the spiritual life” of both the ADN and the Universal Church.

He recognized the multicultural reality of members of ICLSAL in his Metropolitan See and emphasizing the need for unity in diversity, noted the universal call to holiness and service that includes the Laity.

“This walk represents our shared commitment to serve the Lord faithfully, with humility and joy,” the Kenyan Catholic Archbishop said. 

He prayed for growth in vocations to Consecrated Life and expressed hope that future generations would carry forward the legacy of service and witness that has long blessed the Archdiocese.

“Let us walk together in faith; let us trust together that God will continue to guide us,” he said, hoping that the journey would lead to a meaningful celebration of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life in 2025.