“If we don't take care of the family, where will we get future Priests, Sisters, Brothers, and good Christians?” she posed, and continued, “If we can strengthen the foundation of families, then we are assured of other vocations springing up with a lot of knowledge and firmness in life.”
The Kenyan-born ASN member, who also coordinates women and men Religious in Nairobi’s Karen region highlighted counselling services as a way ICLSAL members can support families in Kenya.
“Institutions offer counselling, but they can be very expensive. Can we, as Religious, dedicate our time to address this need, providing help to those who cannot afford it? she posed, and added, “As religious, let us emphasize family and look at the mental issues arising from every institution in the world.”
“People in the village have issues, but they don't know where to go. There are no psychiatrists in the village. Why can't we go to them, listen to them, and help them?” Sr. Anne appealed, emphasizing practical ways women and men Religious can mark the 2025 Jubilee Year.
The Holy Father announced the start of a Year of Prayer on 21 January 2024 in preparation for the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, the second in his Pontificate after the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015.
(Story continues below)
He said that the 2025 Jubilee Year will be “a year dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in one’s personal life, in the life of the Church, and in the world.”
Credit: ACI Africa
Months later, on the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ on 9 May 2024, the Holy Father solemnly proclaimed the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025 at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica, during which he delivered the Bull of Indiction of the planned Jubilee, “Spes non confundit” (Hope does not disappoint).
The Jubilee Year provides the people of God across the globe an opportunity to participate in various planned jubilee events at the Vatican and in their respective Episcopal Sees and ICLSAL.
Also speaking to ACI Africa on the sidelines of the February 1 celebration of the 2025 Jubilee Year for the Consecrated in ADN, Br. James Bonga of the Order of the Discalced Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel advocated for altruism.
Women and men Religious need not focus “on what life gives, but on what they need to give to other people around them and also around the world,” Br. James, who serves in Kenya’s Bungoma Catholic Diocese said.
On her part, Novice Joyce Njeri Mwangi of the Camillian Sisters highlighted the need for women and men Religious to practice the theological virtues of faith and hope as important.
“We must sustain our faith, sustain this hope with Christ, and sustain the zeal within us so that we may retain our focus on following Christ each and every day,” Novice Joyce told ACI Africa during the February 1 interview.
Amid challenges that life brings, the Kenyan Novice urged the Consecrated to “gain courage even when we encounter the difficulties of life so that we may be able to encounter Christ and give Christ to the world.”
Credit: ACI Africa
Meanwhile, in his speech during the February 1 celebration that was held at St. Mary’s Msongari School grounds in Westlands, Nairobi, Archbishop Philip Anyolo urged women and men Religious in his Metropolitan See to help show the world the relevance of Consecrated Life.
“I want to encourage you, my dear brothers and sisters, that Consecrated Life remains relevant even today. It is fully relevant and fully required in a world where the divine, or the sense of the divine, is played down and treated as if nothing existed,” the Local Ordinary of ADN said.
“Consecrated Life is, above all, a life rooted in prayer,” Archbishop Anyolo said, and added, “I urge all Consecrated persons, Clergy, and all the faithful to cherish and enhance their prayer lives, both individually and in their communities.”
Credit: ACI Africa
He acknowledged with appreciation the message of the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, who, in his homily that “pricked” consciences, cautioned the Clergy against being “busy with money” and tribalism in ICLSAL.
Through the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Anyolo said, “we receive the Pope's prayers; we receive his best wishes; we receive even that best homily that has pierced our hearts and minds.”
The Kenyan Catholic Church leader urged the Consecrated to continue celebrating “the Jubilee of Hope in prayer.”
The worldwide celebration of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life has been scheduled to take place from 8-9 October 2025 in Rome.