IN LOVE WITH THE WORD OF GOD: REMEMBERING FR. MICHAEL K. ITHONDEKA
Fr. Casmir Odundo
Yesterday, the Catholic Church celebrated the very first
Sunday of the Word of God as promoted and proclaimed by Pope Francis in his
Motu Proprio “Aperuit illis”. "This Sunday," according to Pope Francis, "and the subsequent 3rd Sunday’s of the
ordinary time, will be devoted to, the
celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God.” Of course the word of God has been
translated into many languages, (beginning from the Septuagint and the Vulgate)
but the greatest of these translations: is the one carried out by Christians’ every
day in fulfilling their ordinary duties. That is, translating God’s word into
life. Making God’s word alive again!
As I celebrated Sunday Masses to mark the Sunday of the word
of God, I couldn’t help but think of this priest and lover of the scriptures. I
know that if he was present with us today, he would have certainly delighted at
this Sunday’s celebration but we know that he is celebrating with us from
heaven.
Fr. Ithondeka |
As the Universal Church marked this day, some of the priests of the diocese of Nakuru also remembered
one of its faithful sons: Rev. Fr. Michael K Ithondeka, who was brutally
murdered exactly 12 years ago. Fr. Ithondeka went to be with the Lord on the 26th
January 2008 at the height of the Post-Election Violence.
Providentially, Fr. Michael Kamau Ithondeka was a priest in love
with the scriptures. He did his Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures in the
prestigious Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. At the time of his demise,
he was a lecturer in Sacred Scriptures at St. Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary,
Tindinyo.
Official Logo for Sunday of God's word |
I had the rare opportunity to encounter Fr. Ithondeka twice
in my teenage years. For High School, I studied at St. Joseph’s Junior
Seminary. We had the privilege, perhaps because our school was a minor seminary,
to have a day of recollection (one day retreat) every month. I reminisce we
used to look forward to these day’s with a particular enthusiasm. Our Rector
would invite different priests from the diocese to preach and guide us during
these recollections. The most interesting part would be when these priests
would share with us their own life stories. I recall vividly that it was after such kin of
recollections, after hearing the stories of these priests that I resolved,
aided by God’s grace, to become a priest after my secondary school studies.
One of the priests that I remember very well, who was invited
to preach these recollections to us was Fr. Michael K. Ithondeka. I recall he
was invited twice during the four years that I was there. I still reminisce how
honestly he spoke to us about his journey into the priesthood. I don’t know the
experience of others, but he was one of the people you wouldn’t forget you ever
met. There was something peculiar about him. Many years have passed yet his
laughter still re-echo’s in my mind. He told us about his family and the part
that interested us the most was his life in Rome, the Eternal City.
Immediately, after high school, came the Post-Election
Violence and the saddening news that Fr. Ithondeka had been killed in the height
of this violence. I still recall the sombre mood at his funeral. Over the
years, after I joined the major seminary and in the few years I have been a
priest I have found myself reflecting deeply on the life of this incredible
priest of our diocese. He was a priest for only 15 years…but 15 years were
enough for him to do so much.
In the course of my theological studies as a seminarian in
St. Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary Tindinyo. I came across many of his
personal books, which he donated posthumously to the seminary library. I still
recall reading his Masters’ Thesis which was on the Book of Revelation. Later
in my life as a priest, I was asked to assist for a month, in one of our parishes
whose parish priest had gone on vacation. This was St. Monica Mwaragania
Parish. While there I heard many wonderful stories of this priest who had given
us recollections many years ago. He was the first Parish Priest of St. Monica
Mwaragania—those days, when there was no electricity, no piped water, etc. He had been
appointed there just after his studies in Rome. It immediately dawned on me
that this was a man, a priest, who was totally committed to empty himself in
service to God’s people. In the words of one of then parishioners, “he used to say he wanted to make Mwaragania
the best parish in the world, not for vain glory but for the glory of God!”
Later I learnt that he had previously served another parish also in the Peripheries:
Lower Subukia.
Undeniably, his priestly life and death has many lessons,
particularly for us, who are serving as priests in the same diocese that he served
and indeed for all priests. He reminds us that we should give ourselves
completely for the mission to the point of shedding our blood, if need be. As Jesus
told his disciples: “In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
The author is parochial vicar Mary Mother of God, Kabarnet
parish. Diocese of Nakuru.
Email: casmirthomas28@gmail.com
The sadness could not linger for long since his good works and enthusiasm soothed the souls of all who knew him. May his soul Continue Resting in Peace.
ReplyDeleteI did not know he studied in Biblicum. Did he pursue doctorate elsewhere?
ReplyDeleteI will enquire from Fr. Erick Mwangi. I am not aware of he studied anywhere else. Though he was also very fluent in German
DeleteVery sad to loss a Servant of God in Barbaric act caused by men he served.
ReplyDeleteMay his soul continue resting in eternal peace.
He is a spiritual role model indeed. I have loved his commitment in serving. Amen
ReplyDeleteHe is a spiritual role model. I have loved his commitmrnt in serving
ReplyDelete