The Feast of the Assumption in Kenya
NAIROBI, Kenya - The 15th of August was a remarkable and grace-filled day in the Nairobi Montfort Scholasticate Community. The day brought together several moments of faith, commitment, and renewal as the community celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an important feast in the life of the Church and a significant expression of Montfortian spirituality. Beyond the liturgical celebration itself, the occasion became a moment of profound joy as several members of the community reaffirmed their commitment to God and to the vocation they have embraced.
The celebration began at 5:00 p.m. with the Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Jacob, the superior of the Anglophone Delegation. At the heart of the celebration was the renewal of religious vows by eight scholastics: Emmanuel ANTHONY, Phillip YOLA, Eric FUNDI, Gilbert KAKURU, Denis MUSEMBI KIOKO, Atanazio Horrace CHITIMBE KAPATU, Emmanuel ABAHO, and Anthony ESAMURIAT. In renewing their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the brothers once again placed their lives in the hands of God and reaffirmed their commitment to the Congregation of the Company of Mary. It was more than a repetition of promises already made; it was an opportunity to pause, remember the grace of the original call, and consciously embrace once again the path of consecrated life. Their commitment echoed the Montfortian desire to live entirely for God, seeking to do all things for God’s glory alone.
The Eucharistic celebration also welcomed two lay faithful, Mr. David MWANGI and Mr. Simon MUTUA, who made their first consecration to Jesus through Mary. Through this consecration, they entered more deeply into the spiritual family of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort and became part of the wider family of Montfort Lay Associates. Their presence and commitment were a beautiful reminder that the Montfortian spiritual journey is not confined to religious life but extends to all who desire to draw closer to Christ by following the Marian path.
The day was further enriched by the renewal of consecration by eight lay associates. In renewing their commitment, they once again expressed their desire to follow the way of Mary to Jesus, a path so deeply cherished in the spirituality of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort. All these moments of consecration and renewal took place within the Eucharistic celebration, making the liturgy not simply a commemoration of a feast but a living expression of commitment, surrender, and communion. The atmosphere was therefore one of gratitude and hope—a gathering in which different vocations met around the same altar and were united by one desire: to belong more completely to Christ.
In his homily, Fr. Hugh, who had accompanied the scholastics during their six-day retreat, reflected on the brothers’ yes to their vocation and commitment. Having walked with them during those days of retreat, he reminded them of the significance of the commitment they had renewed and assured them of his continued prayers. He encouraged the brothers to remain faithful to their vows and to allow their consecration to become something lived each day, especially in the ordinary and sometimes demanding realities of community life. His words also carried an invitation to the lay associates: to remain faithful to their consecration and to continue journeying towards Jesus through Mary.
As the celebration came to an end, the significance of the day remained. The Feast of the Assumption provided a fitting backdrop for these acts of renewal because Mary herself stands as a profound witness to faith, surrender, and perseverance. Her yes to God continues to speak to every Christian vocation, reminding believers that true commitment is not merely expressed in words but is gradually revealed through a life of faithful response. For the Nairobi Montfort Scholasticate Community, therefore, the 15th of August was not simply another feast day. It was a moment to remember, renew, and recommit; to look once again at the journey already travelled and, with renewed faith, entrust the journey ahead to God through Mary.
Philip Yola SMM
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