REFLECTIONS OF A KENYAN PRIEST

Dear Francis,* It feels nice to no longer call you a deacon, i.e. a servant, but a friend, a brother priest and a co-worker in the vineyard of the Lord. (Cf. John 15:15). I hope you will forgive me for missing your priestly ordination. But as I told you, I was with you in spirit and I placed you on the Paten that day during Holy Mass. I thank God for calling you into His service. I know that you will realize as you celebrate Mass during the Easter Vigil that indeed, the Lord has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. (I Pet 2:9). Thanks to you too for responding to God’s Call. It is a sign as Pope Francis wrote in his Letter to Priests last year , “ that in a society and culture that glorifies the ephemeral, there are still people unafraid to make lifelong promises.” “ Priesthood, ” as St. Josemaria Escriva always insisted, “is the greatest thing.” Please try your best with the grace of God to guard it jealously and zealously. Thank you for yo...

By Fr. Casmir Odundo Who Exactly was Judas Iscariot? Friends, we are within Holy Week, when we re-live the Passion of Our Lord and His last moments here on earth. One of the notable figures from these days is Judas Iscariot: The Apostle who betrayed the Lord. Background The name Judas (Ioudas) is the Greek form of Judah (Hebrew "praised"), a proper name frequently found both in the Old and the New Testament. Two among the disciples of Christ bore the name. The surname Iscariot denotes the city where he came from i.e   Kerioth" or Carioth, which is a city of Judah (cf. Joshua 15:25)]. Very little is told us in the Sacred Text concerning the history of Judas Iscariot beyond the bare facts of his call to the Apostolate, his betrayal, and his death. His birthplace, as we have seen, is indicated in his name Iscariot, and it may be remarked that his origin separates him from the other Apostles, who were all Galileans. For Kerioth is a city of Judah. ...

 Fr. Casmir Odundo  Early Years Bishop Raphael Simon Ndingi Mwana a’ Nzeki was born in Mwala Division of Machakos District on Christmas day, 25th December 1931.   Being the last born in a family of 5 children of Mzee Ngila Nzeki and Mama Maria Muthoki.  He attended local schools at Minyanyani, Kabaa and Etikoni. In 1946, he was admitted in the Minor Seminary in Kabaa where he studied Form One and Two before proceeding to Kilimambogo Teachers College for a further two years (1948 – 1950) from where he graduated as a P3 teacher.    As a teacher, he taught in the newly opened Minor Seminary in Kiserian under Nairobi Archdiocese. From 1953 to 1956, he studied philosophy in Tanganyika (Kibosho Senior Seminary – in Moshi) and later in Morogoro Senior Seminary for Theological studies.   These were in preparation to Priesthood. He was ordained a Priest at Kabaa Parish on the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, on 1st January 1961 by Arc...

By Fr. Casmir Odundo Pope Francis Celebrates Mass alone As the Corona Virus continues to spread, many countries are taking precautions to prevent its spread. This has prompted the Diocese of Rome, to cancel all public Masses and religious gatherings. The churches in Rome are however open for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and personal prayers. One great consequence of this is that many Christians are not able to receive Holy Communion in these places. Many people are not in a position to attend Mass. As such, many Christians have been encouraged to make a spiritual communion. However, as it is a serious obligation for priests to celebrate Mass every day, priests in these places are continuing to celebrate Masses in Private. Pope Francis, who whenever he is in the Vatican celebrates Mass Daily in Casa Sancta Martha, the Papal guesthouse where he lives has continued with his daily celebration of Mass despite this crisis. He has allowed that these Masses with are o...

By Fr. Casmir Odundo Mass Celebrated in Hong Kong at the height of the Virus The Corona Virus which began in China is causing a storm throughout the world and even in the circles of the Church. Of course, " what goes around outside the Church affects what goes on inside the Church ." The Universal as well as several local churches (dioceses) have taken steps to help combat this deadly virus. Well it is not the first time that an outbreak of this magnitude has happened in the world. As a priest, I have been deeply reflecting about our Christian response to the Virus. Definitely, we cannot approach it with an attitude of indifference of sitting on the fence. The 1854 Cholera Outbreak 19th Century Cholera Outbreak In the year 1854 a similar epidemic, (Cholera) broke out in Europe. This was during Don Bosco's time and he gave a response that might be useful even in our times. When Cholera broke out in Italy in 1854 its ravages were felt in many ...