Embrace Service as “most important thing in life”: Nuncio in Kenya to University Students

Nairobi, 03 October, 2023 / 5:48 PM

The Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya has called upon students in institutions of higher learning in the East African nation to embrace the spirit of service as “the most important thing” in their respective lives. 

In his homily during the Convocation Mass for the 2023-2024 Academic Year of the Kenya-based Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Archbishop Hubertus Maria van Megen underscored the value of service in human fulfillment.

“It is important to develop those qualities that God has given us. We do not need to all become lawyers, to become doctors, politicians, and presidents. Each one of us has a different gift and the different gifts bring us to a variety of service. Service is basically the most important thing in life,” Archbishop van Megen said during the Tuesday, October 3 Eucharistic celebration at CUEA main campus in Langata, Nairobi.

He added, “It is not much about salary; it is much more about a service that you can give. The more you can be of meaning to others, the more you can be of service to others, the more you can give to others, the more you will find joy in your life and you can give joy to others. There are varieties of gifts, service and working.”

“We are all part of society and it is only by being members of society and unfolding ourselves, giving ourselves to that society, (that) we are able to be invaluable,” the Dutch-born Vatican diplomat, who also represents the Holy Father in South Sudan further said in his homily at CUEA.

He went on to urge lecturers at the Catholic institution under the auspices of the Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) to be sources of inspiration to their students, offering their services beyond their job descriptions.

“Professors need to provoke students. A student does not succeed only by his own qualities. He also succeeds because of the professors,” Archbishop van Megen said, adding, “A good professor will be able to descend to the level of a student, will be able to understand what is going on with the student, and will go along with him, and grow with him.”

He continued, “A professor is not just (on) an eight-hour job. It goes beyond that as a professor should be open to questions, open for discussion; and they should be open for challenges.”

The Vatican diplomat turning 62 on October 4 also urged the CUEA management to serve everyone regardless of religion, race, or any differences.  

“Catholic University is about openness to the world, openness to humanity; from whatever color you are, language you speak, Catholic University is open to anyone,” Archbishop van Megen said in his October 3 homily.