Archbishop Anyolo acknowledged the impact of the work of the Catholic Sisters, adding, “Through your pastoral and social work, you help many people. Some of them become lecturers, professors, and doctors. These are fruits of your dedication.”
On the vow of chastity, the Archbishop urged the Consecrated to trust in divine assistance, saying, “The angels are watching over you, and they will protect you if you keep the focus.”
The Local Ordinary of ADN described chastity as a calling to live with tenderness and devotion that is centered on Jesus Christ.
Obedience, he said, ensures that the Consecrated live with purpose and direction.
The Catholic Archbishop who has been at the helm of Nairobi Archdiocese since November 2021 cautioned against seeking fulfillment in worldly possessions and distractions, encouraging instead, a shift in perspective.
“The new journey is not in seeking new horizons in life but in seeking with new eyes of your heart," he said, adding, “If you only seek new horizons, you might feel you have achieved everything. But the call is to see differently, to look inward, not outward, for direction toward holiness.”
He challenged the consecrated to embrace imperfection as part of their journey. “No family, congregation, Church, or apostolate is perfect. The only perfect man like your vocation is Jesus Christ,” he said. "We are called practicing Christians because we are still perfecting ourselves, even in death."
The Archbishop said that the Church provides the tools for this journey through the evangelical counsels, which offer values and virtues to guide consecrated persons. “These counsels are how you respond to the call to perfection,” he said. "The journey through novitiate, final vows, and even years of service is all part of striving for holiness."
Archbishop Anyolo reminded the Sisters that their ultimate fulfillment lies in living out their spiritual vocation with love and dedication to Christ. “Happiness and fullness are found in the love of Jesus Christ, not in the distractions of the world,” he said.
Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.
