“You have chosen a life of sacrifice”: Catholic Bishop to Women Religious at Perpetual Profession in Kenya

He reminded the ESM members of the humility of the Magi, who worshipped the child Jesus, and adored Him.

The three wise men, who Bishop Oballa said were supposed to be “men of the head”, and thinkers full of knowledge and wisdom, became “people of the heart” in their visit to the lowly manger, where the child Jesus lay.

“The Magi had the spirit of humility,” he said, and added, “Regardless of your knowledge or status it is only in humility that you can bend your knees and worship Christ.”

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop called upon the ESM members to embrace a humble spirit of adoration and to witness to Jesus Christ through service to the sick, the orphaned, the widowed, the poor, and those who are ignorant of God.

“Give the people of God hope,” he said, and continued, “People are hungry for those who can give them hope. Many people you have met and those you’ll meet are on the verge of despair.”

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“You are Sisters of the Holy Jubilee, taking your final, perpetual profession in the Year of the Jubilee, whose theme is ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’” Bishop Oballa said, referring to the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, which Pope Francis officially launched on the Eve of Christmas 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.

“Hope does not disappoint,” he said, and added, “Ignite this flame of hope in all people you meet and serve. Radiate that hope, that hope of the Lord, the light that overcomes the darkness of death, whom we adore as the Son of God.”

Further calling upon ESM members to serve all without discrimination, the Local Ordinary of Ngong said, “Pope Francis commends on spirit-filled evangelization, as not simply a set of tasks dutifully carried out, despite one’s personal implications and wishes, but an evangelization full of fervour, joy, generosity, courage and boundless love and attraction.”

In his homily, Bishop Oballa congratulated the ESM members for experiencing what he referred to as “a bumper harvest” following the perpetual profession of eight members and the Silver Jubilee celebration of one.

He said, “The Church rejoices with you on this very Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, which is the day on which annually, you hold this celebration and our interpretation is that, you as a Missionary Congregation express your readiness to go to the rest of the world, to all peoples of all languages and races and cultures to evangelize them.”

Sabrine Amboka contributed to the writing of this story.

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