May the Holy Spirit “fill them with grace”: Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya Invites Prayer for Sisters at Religious Profession

“Pray for the Sisters of St. Mary of Kakamega that they truly will always be doing the will of God, as Mary did the will of God, and that we all will follow into His and the footsteps of the Mother of the Lord,” 

The Dutch-born Vatican diplomat recognized with appreciation the service women Religious offer to the people of God across the globe in general and especially in Kenya, where he said Sisters are actively involved in the operations of the 25 percent of educational institutions and 30 percent health facilities that are under the auspices of the Catholic Church in the East African nation.  

“The majority of those institutions are run by Catholic Sisters,” Archbishop van Megen said about the significant presence of women Religious in Kenyan education and health institutions under the management of the Catholic Church.

“Without the Religious Sisters, our Church could not survive; without the Religious Sisters, our Church could not play the role in society which it plays today. And therefore, I think we should appreciate the Sisters,” the representative of the Holy Father in Kenya, who doubles as the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Environment Program and Human Settlements Program emphasized. 

He went on to fault what he termed the Western society’s agenda “to push women into the Priesthood”. Archbishop van Megen said, “The Sisters have their own role within the Catholic Church. Sisters do not have to become Priests; and Priests do not have to become Sisters. These roles are very distinct.”

“The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has spoken a word about that, that it’s not something I think we should aspire,” he said to emphasize the distinct roles of women Religious and the Clergy in the Catholic Church.

The representative of the Holy Father in Kenya since February 2019 further explained, “A woman, even as a Religious, is a mother. She has that motherly care for the children, not only the children, but also for every man and woman who comes to the Convent, who comes to the clinic, who comes to the school. She has that particular charism and vocation, which a man being a father can never have. That is a very natural basis of things, and I think it is good that also as a Church we always keep that in mind.”

In his speech during the January 6 Religious Profession celebration that was held at SMK Mukumu Mother House in Kakamega Diocese, Archbishop van Megen acknowledged with appreciation the “gift of life to the Church” of the Bishop emeritus of the Kenyan Episcopal See, Philip Sulumeti. 

Today, he said, is “also the feast of Bishop Philip Sulumeti, who celebrates today his 59th anniversary of Priesthood. 59 years (ago), a majority of you were not even born yet. So, we congratulate him, we thank him very much, for your gift of life to the Church.”

“You have been an example to many here. Many of our Priests were also ordained by you; many of the Sisters, you have taken their vows … you have been of great service to the Church,” the Vatican diplomat, who started his service as Apostolic Nuncio in May 2014 in Sudan said about the pioneer Local Ordinary of Kakamega Diocese, who was at the helm of the Kenyan Diocese following his appointment in February 1978 till he retired in December 2014.

“And even now, while already retired, you remain of service to the Church, and that's something we all appreciate, and we can all emulate. Thank you very much for that,” Archbishop van Megen further recognized Bishop Sulumeti, the 87-year-old Kenyan Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in August 1972 as Auxiliary Bishop of the then Diocese of Kisumu.

In her speech, the Superior General of SMK, Sr. Josepha Angeline Atswele, congratulated the 13 newly professed Sisters, and added, “I see in you the beauty of courage and trust.”

“You are stepping into an adventure of faith, offering your lives in service to Christ and his people, not to a particular person,” Sr. Josepha further said, adding, “This path you have chosen is not an easy one, but it is filled with a deep joy that comes from knowing you are loved by God and called to be His bride forever, not half-half.”

She said that the six Sisters, who took their First Vows and the seven others, who made their Perpetual Profession, were “leaving behind much that the world offers” but that “what you are gaining is far greater, the treasure of walking hand in hand with Christ every single day of your life.”

The SMK Superior General, who, in an interview with ACI Africa, called on women Religious “to deepen both their personal and community prayer lives” during the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year thanked the parents of the 13 SMK members for giving their daughters to the Church.

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“Perhaps that lady is the only daughter you have. Therefore, letting go is not easy. I want you to know that your daughters are a gift to the Church and the world,” Sr. Josepha said during the January 6 Religious Profession celebration in Kakamega Diocese.

Speaking on behalf of the 13 newly professed SMK members, Sr. Mary Mildred Alebot Imolet said that the Religious Profession celebration was “of great significance” and thanked “the Almighty God for showering His blessings upon us and guiding us on this sacred journey.”

“It is through His divine mercy and boundless love that we have reached this significant milestone,” Sr. Mary Mildred said. 

She thanked the Apostolic Nuncio for gracing the celebration and “for the special role you play in nurturing vocations in the Church.”

The native of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Bungoma also thanked the Local Ordinary of Kakamega Diocese, Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe, for his “spiritual leadership, wisdom and for being a guiding light in our journey.”

“Your presence today is a powerful reminder of the importance of Religious Life and the grace that comes through it. We are deeply blessed by your prayers and care,” Sr. Mary Mildred told Bishop Obanyi, who has been at the helm of Kakamega Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in March 2015.

The newly professed SMK members also expressed their gratitude to Bishop Sulumeti, saying, “Your years of devoted service to the Church have laid a strong foundation that we continue to build upon today. We pray that God will continue to bless you with good health and peace as you enjoy the fruits of your labor in the Lord's vineyard.”

“To all the Priests present, thank you for your priestly ministry and for leading us in prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist. Your devotion to God and His people enriches our lives and we are grateful for the spiritual nourishment you provide,” Sr. Mary Mildred said.

She also shared the gratitude of her colleagues to SMK Superior General and her Council members, other SMK members for their “unceasing prayers, encouragement and for being pillars of strength in our communities.”

“To the parents of the brides, we offer our deepest gratitude. Your love, sacrifice and prayers have shaped us into who we are today. We are grateful for the faith and courage you instilled in us and for entrusting us to the service of God and the Church,” she said, and thanked “all those who have contributed to make this day a success.”