Health Practitioners in Kenya Urged to Emulate St. Francis of Assisi, “be good and do good”

Nairobi, 03 October, 2025 / 5:28 PM

Archbishop Phillip Anyolo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN) in Kenya has urged health practitioners in the East African nation to always emulate St. Francis of Assisi in practising their profession, noting that their services leave a lasting impact on their patients.

In his homily during the Thursday, October 2 Eucharistic celebration in anticipation of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi marked on October 4, Archbishop Anyolo encouraged those who work with the sick to be selfless in their work, emulating the Italian Deacon who brought renewal to the Church through his decision to follow Jesus' words as literally as possible, giving up everything for God.

“When you go out there, be good and do good. If you are doing something good, do it well, and in a special way if you are taking care of the needy, especially the sick,” Archbishop Anyolo said in his homily at St. Francis Community Hospital, Kasarani, Nairobi.

He added, “The sick have only two persons to remember. They remember the nurse, the doctor, who looked after them and treated them, and remember God.”

The Archbishop called on health service providers to not only serve with joy but also through the word of God.

“As Francis says, don't be gloomy. And if you do good and you realize that goodness is not enough, use your preaching in your words,” the Catholic Church leader in Nairobi said.

In his homily at the event which was also attended by the Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of  Buea in Cameroon, Bishop Emmanuel Mbushu, the Kenyan Archbishop called on health practitioners to  appreciate God’s guidance and follow His ways.

Archbishop Anyolo said that the first rule of St. Francis was to instill joy in the people.

He described the Catholic Church as the “church of happiness”, urging the people of God to find happiness in all stages of their lives, including in birth, naming, healing, and in sickness and in death, saying. “Anything you do is a celebration,” he said.

He further challenged health practitioners to always try other alternatives, like referrals, in cases where the patient's situation seems complicated, rather than giving up on them.

He urged the health practitioners and all service providers to sacrifice for the work and do it well for God to attract God's blessings, saying, “Stay together like a family yearning together in hope and care of the people of God.”

The Archbishop of Nairobi further encouraged all the people of God to be like St. Francis of Assisi, who focused on taking care of God’s creation.

How called for the care of the vulnerable and the poor, saying, "As we celebrate this occasion, I want to encourage you, my dear brothers and my dear sisters, to continue being angelic in your lives.”