"I WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE GATE" FR. MICHAEL MUTUKU

"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 musician and he used to train other students to sing. Many former university students have given their testimonies. After university, Fr. Michael got a job at a security firm. Fr. Benard Nderitu, who was then a student like Michael and later also became a priest, gives this testimony: "When Fr. Michael decided to leave his job at a local security firm and go to the seminary, it was clear that the journey was going to be tough. He was the breadwinner for his family. His family naturally was going to find it hard to understand the turn of events. At that time, his family was staying in Eastleigh very close to St. Teresa Catholic Parish..." His former colleagues at the university organised themselves and used to have a "back to seminary" collection every time Michael would go back to the seminary to assist him and his family due to these challenges. 

Another former UoN student, Donald Kuchoma, gave his testimony of the discernment of Fr. Michael: "In one of our encounters at some point, Mutuku, as we called him, mentioned leaving home for the seminary without informing his parents because of being the only boy in the family and maybe not wanting to face opposition to his inner calling. Indeed, after leaving campus, it appears the call to priesthood became stronger..." 

But of all these testimonies, none can compare to the letter he himself wrote to his friend Bernard (Fr. Benard) during his first year in the seminary. I share below extracts of the letter: "Dear Bernard, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Thank you for remembering me. Thank you for the prayers you offer for me and my friends. I really feel that you pray for me. Keep this up, I also pray for you. I was surprised to learn that much of the graces that keep us moving are from the prayers of our friends and thus the need for friends. A good friend is a treasure we can't buy with money but a gift from God..." The Letter continues where Michael invites Benard for the seminary's family day. That he was a man keen on details is noted in the way he advices him on what matatu to take and when to arrive: "...Come by 8.30am, I will be waiting for you at the gate." 

Of his life in the seminary, we have this memory from Fr. John Moindi: "From August 2003 to May 2011, we were classmates with Michael Mutuku. I remember the first day in St. Mary's Seminary Molo, he came to call us from our rooms to go to the chapel. I responded to him 'Yes, Father.' Because I thought he was a priest formator. I understood later that he had already completed university studies at UON and had even worked for some time..."

We pray that the Good and Merciful Lord, May open wide the gates of heaven for his servant. And, when our time comes, may we find Fr. Michael there, "waiting for us at the gate."

May he rest in peace.