By Paschal Norbert
NAIROBI NOVEMBER 12, 2024 (CISA)- On November 9, 2024, thousands of faithful gathered at the University of Nairobi Papal Grounds to honour St. Joseph Allamano, the revered founder of the Consolata Missionaries. The event, held in Kenya, the spiritual cradle of the Consolata Missionaries, was a momentous celebration of his legacy and vision.
The Pontifical High Mass was presided over by Most Rev Hubertus Maria van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and concelebrated by Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri, Bishop Salesius Mugambi of Meru, Bishop James Maria Wainaina Kungu of Muranga, Bishop Hieronymus Joya IMC of Maralal, Bishop Peter Makau IMC of Isiolo and Bishop Virgilio Pante IMC, emeritus of Maralal representing the larger Mount Kenya region that the Consolata Missionaries first settled and evangelized.
Alongside the bishops, hundreds of priests: Consolata Missionaries, brothers, fathers, and sisters; other missionaries and diocesan priests, drawn from the four Metropolitan archdioceses in Kenya were also in attendance.
Of significance, the celebrants included the General Council of the Consolata missionaries led by Fr James Lengarin IMC, the Superior General, and other missionaries from across Africa, Europe, North America, Asia and South America, many of whom had worked alongside each other in Kenya, reuniting to celebrate their founder’s canonization.
The historic Thanksgiving Mass on the historic papal grounds gathered thousands of the faithful in a powerful display of devotion with the congregation united in prayer, joyfully affirming the enduring mission of St. Allamano.
Often described as the spiritual heart of the Consolata Missionaries, the Mass followed the canonization of St. Allamano in Rome on October 20,2024. The occasion marked a beautiful full-circle moment for the missionary community and the people of Kenya, a land Allamano never physically set foot in, but where his dream to spread the Gospel took root and flourished.
Expressing gratitude for the new saint’s dedication, the Nuncio highlighted the significance of the location: “Today is a great day for the Church in Kenya, and we celebrate it at a historical spot… where nine years ago, Pope Francis celebrated the Eucharist,” he recalled, referencing Pope Francis’s 2015 visit to Kenya and address urging the faithful to be “missionary disciples, men and women who radiate the truth, beauty, and life-changing power of the Gospel”.
At around 10 a.m., the service began with a procession of bishops and clergy. The Mass opened with a Gospel reading from St. Mark (16:15-18), recounting Christ’s mandate to “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” The Nuncio reflected on this powerful scripture, drawing a connection between Allamano’s vision and Jesus’ command to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Though Allamano himself never left Italy, he instilled in his followers a missionary spirit, saying, “The vocation to the missions is essentially the vocation of every holy priest”.
St. Joseph Allamano’s founding vision has had a profound influence in Kenya since the arrival of the first Consolata missionaries in 1902. His life story, shared in parts by the Nuncio, is one of resilience and spiritual strength. Born in 1851 in Castelnuovo d’Asti, Italy, to a modest family, Allamano faced challenges of health and hardship but maintained a steadfast devotion to Christ and Our Lady Consolata. When health issues prevented him from becoming a missionary himself, he dedicated his life to training others, instilling in them a passion to bring the Gospel to distant lands. Inspired by a desire to console others, he established the Consolata Missionaries in 1901, sending his first missionaries to Kenya and opening the door for generations of Consolata Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, and laypeople.
The Thanksgiving Mass was filled with symbols of the mission’s diverse reach, including prayers of the faithful recited in Swahili, Kikuyu, and other Kenyan native languages, symbolizing how the Gospel has taken root across Kenya’s many cultures. The Nuncio emphasized that Allamano’s legacy is the vibrant Christian community present today in Kenya, with countless parishes, religious communities, and faith-based social programs inspired by his work.
The congregation united to give thanks for Allamano, whom the Nuncio described as “a good sower, a good father and shepherd,” whose dedication has borne “abundant fruit” in Kenya.
The highlight of the event was a deeply moving testimony by Sr Felicita Muthoni IMC, a Kenyan Consolata Missionary Sister who has served in Brazil. She recounted a miraculous experience from her mission in the Amazon rainforest in Catrimani , where she encountered Sorino Yanomami, a native man who survived a life-threatening jaguar attack. Through her prayers to Allamano, Sr Felicita testified his intercession led to Sorino’s recovery, a testament to Allamano’s enduring presence and legacy. This miracle was pivotal in Allamano’s canonization, strengthening his association with both physical and spiritual healing.
The Mass concluded with words of gratitude from the Superior General, Fr James Lengarin, who lauded Kenya’s enduring gift to the global Church: generations of Consolata missionaries continuing Allamano’s legacy of “announcing the Gospel” and making “Jesus and his love known” worldwide. Fr Lengarin encouraged the faithful to carry forward Allamano’s call to live out their faith through acts of service, following his motto: “First saints, then missionaries.”
In closing, Archbishop van Megen challenged all in attendance to embrace Allamano’s missionary spirit, affirming that “holiness and mission were interchangeable” for him. A true missionary, he noted, must step out of comfort zones, transcending the desire for security and recognition, to serve others selflessly. This call for ongoing mission resonated deeply with the congregation, who left the celebration inspired to continue Allamano’s legacy of bringing God’s love to the world, one soul at a time.
The Thanksgiving Mass, marked by music, dance, and heartfelt tributes, underscored that Allamano’s legacy is a thriving testament to his vision—a vision brought to life by generations of Consolata missionaries who embody his spirit of devotion, courage, and compassionate service.
