Loice: We came from Kirinyaga county. We left home before sundown to get to this place in time. My husband and I have been married for 52 years and we love each other so deeply. Coming to this place has always been an enriching experience for us. We sometimes come as a couple, and other times as a family, together with our children to express our love for Mother Mary. Prayers at this place are what has kept our family united. That is why we never miss any opportunity to participate in pilgrimages that are held in this Village of Mary.
We have raised all our children as Catholics, and although they each went their way and became independent, their faith is still intact because of how we brought them up.
Today, we came to also pray for the health of my husband. He is suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. He has been experiencing so much pain. We have therefore come here to seek for strength from God to endure these challenging moments, and if He wills, to heal my husband through the powerful intercession of Mother Mary who has always met me at my deepest point of need throughout my life.
I started coming to this Village of Mary when there was only a simple, grass-thatched structure. There were no roads leading to this village, let alone tarmacked roads that we now have. I have seen a lot of development happen here, including the construction of a very big Church where thousands of pilgrims can comfortably sit.
My husband and I have always been inseparable when coming to this place. I always accompany him whenever the Catholic Men Association from our parish comes here. And he does the same, accompanying me when it is the turn for the Catholic Women Association to come.
(Story continues below)
Young Catholic couples have numerous resources that can strengthen their marriages and help them build strong families. For a start, I advise them to join the Marriage Encounter group that is a great educational platform for couples. They should also come here to share their joys and sorrows with Mother Mary.
Thanking God for the gift of a child
Gideon Njoroge and Eunice Wairimu from the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru have been married for three years and were blessed with a child a few months ago.
Gideon Njoroge and Eunice Wairimu from Nakuru Diocese have been married for three years and were blessed with a child a few months ago. Credit: ACI Africa
Gideon: We came here to thank God for the many of His blessings in our life as a family, especially the gift of a child.
We have always come to this place ever since we became a couple, always walking for over 40 kilometers to this place. This is the only time we boarded a bus because we brought our child. But we always walk for a whole day, reflecting on our marriage before we arrive here.
Gideon’s advice to young Catholic couples: Put God first.
Eunice: God is all you need.
Mother Mary’s magnificent appearance set my heart on fire
Elizabeth Mutheu from the Catholic Diocese of Kisii brought her daughter who has “a problem” to experience the healing at the Village of Mary.
Elizabeth Mutheu from Kenya's Catholic Diocese of Kisii and her daughter overwhelmed by emotions at Subukia National Marian Shrine Credit: ACI Africa
My heart is burning. I can’t express what I am feeling. I had a similar feeling the last time I was here. That is why I brought this girl. She doesn’t understand many things but from her face, I can tell that Mother Mary is touching her in a special way. My daughter has a problem that I can’t talk about here. But I believe that her life will never be the same again after this special encounter with Our Lady.
Elizabeth doesn’t say much. Her voice is drowned out by claps, ululations, and songs in honor of Mother Mary. Many bear witness to a blinding light that cuts through the trees on top of the hill overlooking the main Church where tens of thousands of pilgrims are gathered and ready for Holy Mass.
The rays flash at intervals, illuminating the small hill. What follows are numerous testimonies about the vision of “a blue form with white rays shining from her”. The pilgrims give a similar account of what they see, believing that Mother Mary has visited them.
Elizabeth struggles to explain the sight which she says is the most magnificent thing she has ever witnessed. The brightness on her face, and that of her daughter who doesn’t seem to understand what is going on tell of how full their hearts are.
One choir member approaches and says, “I saw the light. It took away all the weight that was in my heart. I came here weighed down by many challenges, but I leave a very light person. I saw Mother Mary dressed in white and Blue.”
The testimonies point to the inspiration behind the characteristic blue theme of Marian pilgrimages at the Subukia National Marian Shrine in the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, Kenya.
Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
A majority of pilgrims at Subukia National Marian shrine don blue, a colour that is associated with Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ Credit: ACI Africa
