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Cento anni di Messa: cinquant’anni sulla terra, cinquant’anni in cielo con San Josemaría

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di Don Casmir Odundo Come sacerdote e storico della Chiesa, una delle cose che ho notato spesso — sia nei miei studi che nelle mie ricerche — è come Dio susciti uomini e donne diversi in tempi diversi per dare vita a molteplici apostolati e carismi nella Chiesa. Il Signore, per esempio, chiamò i Dodici Apostoli, che lo accompagnarono durante la sua vita terrena e furono poi inviati ad evangelizzare. In seguito chiamò Paolo, “il più piccolo degli Apostoli”, perché fosse l’Apostolo dei Gentili. In ogni generazione ci sono sempre grandi uomini della Chiesa. Possiamo pensare ai grandi Padri della Chiesa, successori degli Apostoli, che spiegarono e difesero la dottrina cristiana come veri apologeti. Pensiamo ai martiri, che testimoniarono la fede nel tempo delle persecuzioni. Poi venne san Girolamo, grande studioso e traduttore della Bibbia. San Benedetto, fondatore del monachesimo occidentale, segnò un’altra svolta decisiva. E non possiamo dimenticare il grande sant’Agostino d’Ippona. La s...
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A Century Since His Ordination: Reflecting on the Priesthood of Saint Josemaría Escrivá

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By Fr. Casmir Odundo As a priest and a Church historian, one of the things I have frequently noted—both in my studies and research—is how God raises up different men and women at different times to bring forth diverse apostolates and charisms in the Church. Our Lord, for example, called the Twelve Apostles, who accompanied Him during His earthly life and were later sent out to evangelise. Later he called Paul, the "least of the Apostles" to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. In every generation, there are always great men of the Church. We can think of the great Fathers of the Church, who succeeded the Apostles and explained and even defended christian  doctrine as true apologists. We think of the martyrs, who bore witness during the age of Christian persecution. Then came Saint Jerome, the great biblical scholar, exegete, and translator of the Bible. Saint Benedict, founder of Western monasticism, marked another turning point. And we cannot forget the great Saint Augustine of H...
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THE DAY FULTON SHEEN'S VOICE ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE VATICAN

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By Fr. Casmir Odundo Venerable Fulton Sheen As a historian and researcher of the Vatican II Council, I am always thrilled to study the debates of the Council Fathers. It was such an interesting period, bringing together the most influential figures of the 20th century. Imagine Cardinals: Spellman, Ottaviani, Frings, Bea, Laurent Rugambwa, Suenens, Döpfner, Maurin, König, Archbishop Helder Câmara, Luciani (later Blessed John Paul I,)  Montini later (St. Paul VI), Bishop Wojtyla later (St John Paul II), Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), our very own (later Cardinal) Bishop M. Otunga, Bishop Frederick Hall of Kisumu, Bishop De Reeper of Ngong’, Yves Congar, Henri de Lubac, Álvaro del Portillo, and yes, even Fulton Sheen (to mention but a few) — all under one roof discussing the challenges and potential solutions for the Church in the modern world. It was a council of the ‘who is who’ in the 20th century Church.  Having been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York on 28th...
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The Day My Dream Came True

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By Fr. Casmir Odundo I was then but a young colt,   A modest donkey, harbouring a million dreams untold, Nestled in the village, humble origins my hold,   I gazed at stallions, warriors bold, in admiration bold. They, akin to me, yet in beauty they surpass,   Graceful in battle's dance, while I, in shadow cast.   My dreams, to my parents, I did eagerly amass,   " Cease such thoughts ," they chided, " for we bear the burden's mast. Donkeys we are, destined to toil, not to bask in glory's light,   Our lot is of the earth, not the splendour of the knight."    Resigned, I embraced fate, though my heart yearned for flight,   But youth held a spark, a flicker in the night. Then, a Sunday came that would my destiny recast,   Two men, Apostles named, in our village amassed.   They untied me, despite protest, their intentions vast,   "The Master needs him," they declared, and my heart r...
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"I WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE GATE" FR. MICHAEL MUTUKU

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"We know that we have passed from death to life because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death." (1 John 3:14).   These are the words that came to my mind when I was told about the life of Fr. Michael Musyimi Mutuku, who passed away on the 18th of August 2023 and was buried yesterday, during the feast of St. Augustine at Katoloni in Machakos. I was not privileged to know Fr. Michael during his life. However, the testimonies I heard and read after his death really moved me. Fr. Michael was the only son of his family and he decided to become a priest. At the time of his joining the seminary, he was actually the breadwinner of his family. But he left all that and joined the seminary. He actually received his vocation when he was at the University of Nairobi. Back then, unlike today, very few students would make it to the university and Michael was among them. At the University of Nairobi, and at St. Paul's chaplaincy, he was known as a talented musicia...
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ANOTHER RUGAMBWA NAMED CARDINAL

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By Fr. Casmir Odundo The surname "Rugambwa" is very famous within Catholic circles. This is because it belonged to the late Laurean Cardinal Rugambwa, the first African Cardinal. He was created a cardinal on March 28, 1960, by Pope John XXIII at the age of 47. Cardinal Rugambwa's contributions to the Vatican II Council from 1962-1965 are considered to be one of the most significant by an African prelate. He was praised for his fluency in multiple languages, including Italian, French, German, Swahili, Luanda, English, and Latin. Later, he became the Archbishop of Dar Salaam after moving from Bukoba. Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa died on December 8, 1997, on the Feast of Our Lady, whom he was deeply devoted to.  Laurean Cardinal Rugambwa: First African Cardinal According to Bishop Method Kilaini, the name "Rugambwa" signifies an individual with an esteemed reputation. They say that give a child a name, and he will live up to it.  In Tanzania, there are two other prel...
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BREAKING BARRIERS: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ARCHBISHOP STEPHEN AMEYU MARTIN MULLA'S ELEVATION TO CARDINAL

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By Fr. Casmir Odundo The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the  Lord  has this been done; a marvel in our eyes. (Psalm 118: 22-24) The decision of Pope Francis to name Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba, South Sudan, as a Cardinal Last Sunday (5th July 2023), along with 20 others, could be Pope Francis' way of sending a message to the Church regarding the tribal politics that sometimes find their way into the Church. This follows the elevation of Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke to Cardinal, who had also undergone similar tribulations when he was appointed Bishop of Ahira diocese .  When Pope Francis appointed Bishop Ameyu as the Archbishop of Juba, there was contestation from a few individuals who wrote a letter stating , " Under no conditions will Bishop Ameyu be accepted to serve as Archbishop of Juba. " To make their case weighty, the letter also included false allegations to tarnish the Archbishop's name. However, as in the diocese ...
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