By Arnold Neliba
CEDARA, JANUARY 23, 2024 (CISA)-Brother Collins Masinde, OMI, a scholastic brother of the Kenya Mission, a member of the St. Joseph’s Oblate Scholasticate community in Cedara, South Africa, and a student at St. Joseph’s theological institute was on January 12 washed off a rock by a large wave into the sea.
The accident occurred at the beginning of the annual retreat of the Oblate Scholastics at the Capuchin Convent, Melville, South Africa.
“The police and sea rescue were called and responded immediately. After searching the area and following the current towards the south of Melville nothing has yet been found but the search continues,” announced Fr Lamulumundeni Memela OMI, the Acting Superior of St. Joseph’s Scholasticate.
According to an account of events preceding the incident, Collins was visiting the beach near the retreat house at about 11:00 am on Friday, January 12, when he was washed off a rock by a large wave and swept into the sea. His body is yet to be recovered.
“We ask you to join us the Oblate Scholasticate community in prayers as we await the official outcome of the search,” said Fr Memela.
Born on February 21, 1995, in Kenya – Lugari Sub County, Collins has been described as “an outgoing, yet reflective and joyful young man”. He is the sixth of ten children of Eliud Masinde Mwangale and Florance Khakali.
He completed his postulancy in Meru Town in 2017 and entered the Pre-Novitiate in 2018 in Karen, Nairobi. He was due to begin his second year of studies at St. Joseph’s Oblate Scholasticate in Cedara, South Africa, and was to make his first renewal of vows later this month.
