“My appeal to Christians is to participate in the activities that we have put in place. We want at the end to see the impact of the Year. We want to see a growth in faith and full participation in the Church,” Fr. Kikwai told ACI Africa February 8.
He expressed the hope that Catholic men in the Diocese will become more involved in matters of faith and eventually draw their families closer to God, just as Pope Francis envisions in his Post-Synodal Exhortation ‘Amoris Laetitia.’
Even with the focus on men during the year-long celebrations, Fr. Kikwai says that they are not leaving out other groups in the church as they desire “to grow in faith as a family, that’s why the activities of the year are inclusive.”
Among the activities to be undertaken include pilgrimages to three churches and one institution under the patronage of St. Joseph, an exercise that will be carried out in small groups over time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pastoral Director of Kenya’s Nakuru Diocese told ACI Africa.
Catholics are also expected to take part in saying the prayer of St. Joseph and the Litany of St. Joseph on Sundays.
Ahead of the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19, which will be celebrated in all parishes within the Diocese, the faithful are expected to pray the Novena to St. Joseph, and also participate in the Seven Sundays Devotion to St. Joseph.
A special booklet on St. Joseph has also been published to guide Catholics in the Kenyan Diocese in marking the year that the Holy Father instituted to run from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021.
Among the contents of the 23-page booklet shared with ACI Africa is an explanation of why Pope Francis instituted the Year of St. Joseph, the period of the celebration, special graces and indulgences relating to the Year, a brief Catechesis on St. Joseph, as well as various prayers seeking St. Joseph’s intercession.
The booklet also contains monthly reflections based on the virtues of St. Joseph. In January, the faithful reflected on Joseph, the Most Valiant Protector of the Church; in February they are expected to reflect on Joseph, the Most Chaste Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary; March on Joseph, Most Just; and April on Joseph Lover of Poverty.
In May, Catholics in the Diocese of Nakuru are expected to reflect on St. Joseph, Model of Workers; in June on St. Joseph, Most Obedient and Head of the Holy Family; in July on St. Joseph Most Faithful; August on St. Joseph, Mirror of Patience and in September on St. Joseph, Most Prudent.
