At National Prayer Day, Kenya’s Catholic Bishops Dedicate Nation to Mary’s “maternal care”

Nairobi, 07 October, 2025 / 10:36 AM

The Catholic Bishops in Kenya have dedicated the East African nation to the “maternal care” of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and entrusted the country’s leaders, families, and future to her guidance.

The Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, presided over the liturgical rite of dedicating the country to the Mother of God during the 2025 National Prayer Day at Subukia National Marian Shrine in Nakuru Catholic Diocese on Saturday, October 4.

Archbishop Muhatia explained that in doing so, the Church in Kenya seeks the protection of Mother Mary against “spiritual and social challenges and is asking for blessings of unity, justice, and peace.”

“This liturgical rite of dedicating our country, Kenya, to the maternal care of Mary, Mother of God, is a solemn act of placing the nation under her maternal care and intercession,” said Archbishop Muhatia.

He added, “Rooted in Catholic tradition, this rite is an expression of deep trust in Mary's role as the Mother of the Church and Queen of Peace.”

“This dedication is not merely symbolic,” he emphasized during the 2025 National Day of Prayer realized under the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope: Renewing Our Nation.”

The Local Ordinary of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kisumu explained that the dedication should be understood “as a spiritual commitment by the nation's faithful to live according to the gospel and to imitate Mary's faith and obedience to God's will.”

“It reflects our belief that Mary, as the Mother of Christ, intercedes powerfully for us who call upon her,” he said.

Archbishop Makumba, on behalf of KCCB and the people of God in Kenya, implored, “Almighty and ever-living God, Lord of history and King of all nations, we come before you today in humility and gratitude as the people of Kenya, a nation richly blessed, diverse in culture, yet united in purpose under your guiding hand.”

He continued, “Today, as your people of Kenya, in communion with all the Catholic faithful, we solemnly dedicate this land, our beloved nation, to the patronage and maternal care of Mary, Mother of God, the Queen of Peace, and Star of Evangelization.”

“We ask for pardon for our wrongdoing when we have allowed hatred, tribalism, and corruption to rule our hearts. We repent and ask for your mercy,” he prayed, and went on to consecrate the country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

He said, “Oh, blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Savior and Mother of the Church, with love and trust, we consecrate to your immaculate heart the people of Kenya, our children, our youth, our elders, our families, all men and women, our leaders and workers, our farmers and scholars, all who suffer, and all who rejoice.”

“Be for us a sure guide on the path of justice, a gentle protector in times of danger, a motherly comfort in times of sorrow,” he said during the October 4 liturgical rite seeking the intercession of Mother Mary “with your Son, Jesus Christ that we may walk always in the light of the Gospel.”

He implored, “We ask you, Mother Most Holy, to intercede for our land, that we may be a nation of peace and reconciliation, a people who love truth, uphold life, seek the common good, and care for the poor and the vulnerable.”

In the October 4 Liturgical rite for the dedication of the East African nation, the KCCB Chairman also sought Mother Mary’s protection for families, children, and the youth.

He continued, “Inspire our leaders to serve with integrity and wisdom. Preserve us from corruption, violence, and division. Teach us to cherish one another as brothers and sisters. One people under one God.”

“Mary, Mother of God and Our Mother, patroness of Kenya, pray for us, walk with us, and lead us always to your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever,” he implored.