Over 50,000 Children at Nairobi Archdiocese Annual PMC Mass Urged to “pray any time daily”

“When we come together as a family, we come to give each other the gift of God by taking you to Him through prayer. When people tell you their challenges, pray for them and pray any time daily,” he said.

The Kenyan Catholic Priest went on to explain the significance of obedience in a life of prayer and invited the PMC members to listen to God by obeying His commandments.

Credit: ACI Africa

“Obedience makes us good and successful disciples,” he said, and added, “When you pray, listen and wait on God; to pray is to recharge and renew ourselves.”

Fr. Kongowea highlighted the need for patience and perseverance, saying, “When we pray, persevere in prayer, and wait upon God we are reminded to know that God is able.”

He encouraged the PMC members to go beyond supplications and nurture the attitude of thanksgiving.

“When you ask, remember to give thanks. Thanksgiving is praying well; every day and moment deserve thanksgiving,” Fr. Kongowea said during the February 10 Eucharistic celebration that had Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of the ADN as the main celebrant and John Cardinal Njue among the concelebrants. 

Archbishop Philip Anyolo and John Cardinal Njue during the launch of PMC Archdiocesan theme; "Together in Prayer". Credit ACI Africa

“As we go from here, taking prayer to one another, let us believe because God is able,” the Kenyan Catholic Priest said.

In her remarks at the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the PMC Coordinator of the ADN, Sr. Catherine Kaua Mutheu, reiterated Fr. Kongowea’s message, urging the PMC members to normalize praying from anywhere, not just in a church or adoration chapel.

“Let us pray while walking along the road and from every other place throughout this year of prayer,” Sr. Kaua said, alluding to the start of the preparations for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, which Pope Francis announced on January 21, the second in his Pontificate after the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015.

Credit: ACI Africa

To underscore the need for the PMC members to embrace a life of prayer, the member of the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi (ASN) said, “The third golden rule states that every PMC member knows how to pray; let us abide by this rule.”

On his part, the National Director of PMS in Kenya, Fr. Bonaventure Luchidio, also echoed the message of prayer, telling the PMC members, aged between 0 to 14 years, that a prayerful life is important orr the success of their mission.

Fr. Luchidio reflected on the Synodal and missionary aspects of the Church, which he said also require the prayers of the PMC members. 

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Credit: ACI Africa

“A synodal Church leads us to the Eucharistic celebration where we commune while the missionary church sends us out to evangelize to those who are discouraged and in despair,” he said, and added, “Going out to bring many people to God is our job this year and we cannot do it without being prayerful.”

“Pope Francis has declared this year as the year of prayer and here in Kenya we say that as missionary children we are walking together in prayer,” the Nairobi-based member of the Clergy of Kenya’s Kakamega Diocese said, referring to the preparations for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, which the Holy Father announced on January 21.

Credit: ACI Africa

He continued, “We are aligning ourselves with Pope Francis and the Bishops here in Kenya, affirming that in this year of prayer, we are journeying together as a synodal and missionary Church.”