Scheduled Consecration of Kenyan Church to be “a memorable event”: Parish Priest

“This event is very unique and very special for the parishioners. It is symbolic-rich and doesn’t happen many times, that is why it is a memorable event for parishioners,” the Kenyan Catholic Priest said, adding that members of St. John the Evangelist Holy Ghost Parish are eager to be part of the May 13 event, to be presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen.

He went on to explain the reason for taking long in having the Parish church consecrated, saying, “There was always a feeling that (the church) was still under construction.”

Fr. Patrick Mwania (C.S.Sp), Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Holy Ghost Parish. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Now we feel the church is complete and it is ready to be dedicated because there is no major structural adjustment that is envisioned,” the Kenyan Spiritan Priest said, adding that the church building has been extended to include a seating area for nursing mothers and infants.

During a church consecration, the presiding Bishop anoints 12 points of the walls of the church building with chrism oil. The altar is also anointed with chrism oil and incensed. Relics of a saint are also placed in the altar. 

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The anointing of 12 points of the church building is based on the place of the 12 Apostles of Jesus in the reality of the church, Fr. Mwania told ACI Africa during the May 10 interview, and described a church as “a place of prayer and preaching and living the faith that was laid on the strong foundation of the apostles.”

Credit: Magdalene Kahiu/ACI Africa

The Professor of Theology at Nairobi-based Tangaza University College (TUC) added that the anointing and incensing of the altar where Holy Mass and other Sacraments are celebrated is done because the celebration of the Eucharistic is “at the center of the worship of Christians.”

The depositing of a Saint’s relics is a sign that the church is in union with the Saints who continually intercede for God’s people, Fr. Mwania explained, adding that the relics of St. John Paul II will be deposited in the altar of St. John the Evangelist Holy Ghost Parish church during the May 13 event, to be graced by the Local Ordinary of Nairobi, Archbishop Philip Anyolo, and the first-ever Kenyan Spiritan Bishop, John Mbinda of Kenya’s Lodwar Diocese.

He said that May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, was found to be appropriate considering that the newly-built parish Chapel and Marian grotto will be blessed and the Legion of Mary inaugurated.

The Altar of the Holy Family Chapel St. John the Evangelist Holy Ghost Parish. Credit: Magdalene Kahiu/ACI Africa

The Chapel was constructed “to be able to take care of the spiritual needs of the parishioners,” the native of Kenya’s Machakos Diocese said, adding that the Chapel has “the possibility of perpetual adoration”.

He explained in reference to the Chapel, “We will have a permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament so that people can use it as a place of silence, of prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.”

Entrance into St John the Evangelist Holy Ghost Parish. Credit: Magdalene Kahiu/ACI Africa 

It was important for the Parish to construct a Marian Grotto, Fr. Mwania said, and explained, “Mary being an important pillar in the Christian faith, having a Marian grotto provides a serene environment for people to grow into deeper relationship with our mother Mary and also to pray.” 

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Side view of the Parish Chapel and Marian Grotto. Credit: Magdalene Kahiu/ACI Africa

The Marian Grotto, he said, is part of “the spiritual resources” that parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Holy Ghost Parish “wanted to take care of their spiritual nourishment”.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.