“Simple yet sacred”: Pilgrims on Canonization Mass of Founder Whose Members Were First Commissioned to Kenya

“As the sweet-smelling smoke rose to the heavens, I was deeply moved by the spiritual significance of this simple yet sacred act,” he explained, echoing the sentiments Sr. Joan Agnes Matimu of the Consolata Missionary Sisters (MC) who has told ACI Africa that she was touched by “the simplicity and yet depth with which the whole celebration took place.” 

For Br. Adophe, the incense he carried to the relic of St. Allamano “symbolized our collective prayers, our praise, and our gratitude being lifted before God.”

Br. Adolphe Mulengezi. Credit: Consolata Missionaries

“To present it at the relic of the newly canonized saint made the moment even more sacred,” the native of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) told ACI Africa moments after the October 20 Canonization Mass.

He continued, “The relic was a tangible connection to the life of Saint Joseph Allamano, whose holiness, humility, and service have inspired so many. His legacy was no longer just written in history books or recounted in testimonies; it was now cemented in sainthood, a confirmation of his lifelong dedication to God’s mission.”

“This moment reminded me of the powerful bond between heaven and earth, connecting us to the saints who intercede for us,” Br. Adolphe said. 

Credit: ACI Africa

Reflecting on the thousands of pilgrims, who gathered for the Canonization Mass, including over 1,300 from the 40 countries with IMC and MC presence, he said, “What also struck me was the overwhelming sense of unity among the faithful gathered for this historic occasion.”

“Pilgrims from all corners of the globe representing various cultures, languages, and walks of life came together, bound by a shared love for Saint Joseph Allamano and his mission,” Br. Adolphe said, adding, “The Consolata family, in particular, was well represented, and the diversity in the Congregation beautifully reflected the global reach of Allamano’s mission.”

“Seeing people from different nations come together in faith underscored the universality of Allamano’s vision; one that transcends borders, languages, and cultures,” the Congolese IMC member said, and emphasized, “The celebration wasn’t just for a single community; it was a celebration for the Church as a whole, an affirmation that holiness knows no boundaries.”

Br. Adolphe Mulengezi. Credit: Consolata Missionaries

The Rome-based IMC members, who is a postgraduate student at the Salesian Pontifical University described the October 20 Canonization of Blessed Allamano as “the culmination of many years of prayer, devotion, and hope, not only for the Consolata family but for the entire Church.”

When St. Allamano was declared a Saint, he said, “there was a palpable sense of fulfillment in the air—a feeling that all the prayers, all the dedication, and all the efforts had borne fruit.”

“For those of us privileged to witness this, it was not only a moment of celebration but also a moment of deep inspiration,” Br. Adolphe said, adding that the Canonization event “reminded us that God’s grace works through ordinary people who say ‘yes’ to His call.”

Credit: ACI Africa

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For him, St. Allamano’s life was “marked by humility, compassion, and missionary zeal” and that having been Canonized, he “had finally been recognized at the highest level of the Church, giving us all a renewed sense of purpose in our own spiritual journeys.”

Meanwhile, for Sr. Joan Agnes, a member of the General Council of MC, the Canonization event brought “joy in all of us for the completion of a dream come true.”

“Many missionaries wished to see this day but didn't. So, it’s really a joy, full of gratitude to God,” she told ACI Africa in Rome moments after the Canonization Mass. 

Credit: ACI Africa

The Kenyan-born Consolata Sister added, “The message of the Pope, during the homily and before the Angelus, simple but so profound, resonated with what each one of us believes to be our mission today.”

In his homily, Pope Francis commended the newly Canonized Saints’ lives of sacrifice, missionary zeal, and service to the Church.

Fr. Allamano died on 16 February 1926; he was 75. Ordained a Diocesan Priest for Italy’s Catholic Archdiocese of Turin, where he remained his entire life, Fr. Allamano founded the family of the Consolata Missionaries, comprising Priests and Brothers (IMC) and Sisters (MC). 

Beginning in the East African nation of Kenya, IMC and MC members who are currently serving in some 40 countries across the globe have carried on the legacy of their founder, whom Pope St. John Paul II beatified on 7 October 1990.

Blessed Joseph Allamano. Credit: Vatican Media

Some 1,300 representatives of the Consolata Missionaries in the 14 Provinces around the world travelled to Rome to witness the Canonization event, the Superior General of IMC, Fr. James Bhola Lengarin, told ACI Africa in an October 17 interview at EWTN Vatican bureau.

Fr. James also said that the news of the Canonization of Blessed Allamano were confirmed on July 1, a time when IMC and CM members had started preparations for the centenary celebrations since he passed on.

The Kenyan-born IMC Superior General described the Canonization of their founder as a time of “grace and joy”; and “a moment that we are actually singing the Magnificat, because the Lord has done great things for us, and because we have been preparing for this moment since the death of our founder.”

Fr. James Bhola Lengarin. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez

Pilgrims, who participated in the Canonization have weighed in on the October 20 event. According to Sr. Joan Agnes of the Consolata Missionaries, pilgrims she interacted with said they were “so happy to be part of history in the making” because “the strong sense of belonging to the Consolata family in one way or another binds them to the Mission of Allamano.”

Referring to the healing of Sorino Yanomami, the unique medical miracle that the Vatican recognized as attributed to the intercession of Blessed Allamano, paving the way for his Canonization, Sr. Joan Agnes said that many pilgrims she encountered “keep wanting to know more and more.”

Sorino was attacked by a jaguar in the Amazon rainforest in 1996, fracturing his skull.

Sr. Joan Agnes Matimu. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez

Many pilgrims who participated in the Canonization event experienced “renewed fervour, with the desire to live each one's calling in a profound yet authentic way, especially for the lay people, sharing the treasure of faith they have received,” Sr. Joan Agnes, who serves in the Rome-based General Council of the MC told ACI Africa on October 20.

For Br. Adolphe, “among the many pilgrims who traveled to witness the canonization, there was an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude.”

For many, he told ACI Africa, the Canonization “was a once in a lifetime event, a historic and spiritual milestone that would be remembered for years to come.”

Br. Adolphe Mulengezi. Credit: Consolata Missionaries

“Pilgrims expressed how grateful they felt to be part of such a sacred moment, one that will forever be etched in their hearts. Many had journeyed long distances, making significant sacrifices to be present at the Mass, and they saw their attendance as a blessing, a moment where they could give thanks for the life of St. Allamano, who had touched their lives in profound ways,” the Rome-based IMC members said. 

He continued, “A common theme among the pilgrims was how the canonization of Allamano had reignited their commitment to the values he stood for. His example of deep faith, his dedication to missionary work, and his passion for the education and care of the poor resonated deeply with those in attendance.”

The more than 1,300 pilgrims affiliated to and associated with Consolata Missionaries in 40 countries, Br. Adolphe said, “felt inspired to return to their homes with a renewed sense of mission, determined to carry on Allamano’s legacy of compassion, service, and evangelization.”

Credit: ACI Africa

“His sainthood was seen as a call to action to embody the spirit of service in daily life and to continue the work he had begun,” he said, adding, “For many, attending the canonization was more than just a physical journey; it was a pilgrimage of faith. Being present at such a significant spiritual event had deepened their faith in ways they had not anticipated.”

The Congolese IMC member went on to reflect on the impact of the October 20 Papal Eucharistic celebration to pilgrims. 

He said, “The Holy Mass itself was a powerful experience, filled with reverence and hope, as pilgrims prayed for the intercession of St. Allamano. The sense of community, the uplifting liturgy, and the celebration of sainthood combined to create an atmosphere of profound spiritual renewal.”

Br. Adolphe Mulengezi. Credit: Consolata Missionaries

“Pilgrims spoke of returning home spiritually rejuvenated, with a sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of what it means to live a life in service to God and others,” Br. Adolphe said.

Pilgrims to Rome have also expressed how participating in the Canonization celebrations reminds them that holiness is attainable for everyone. 

St. Allamano’s life, Br. Adolphe said, “although extraordinary in its impact, was marked by simplicity and a deep love for God and humanity. Many remarked that seeing someone who lived a life so grounded in humility and service being elevated to sainthood was a testament to the idea that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary but is something all of us can aspire to in our everyday lives.”

Credit: ACI Africa

Holy Mass of Thanksgiving has been planned for Monday, October 21 at the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome from 4 p.m. The Canonization pilgrims are set to leave for Turin, the birthplace of St. Allamano in Northern Italy, where a series of celebrations have been planned. 

Specifically, Holy Mass is to be celebrated at the Church of St. Andrew in Castelnuovo Don Bosco on October 23. Pilgrims are then to participate in the Eucharistic celebration at the Consolata Shrine in Turin on October 24, ahead of the concluding Holy Mass on October 25 at Joseph Allamano Church in Turin.