Tuesday, December 17
On Tuesday morning, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz met with fifteen families from all over Kenya. The meeting took place in the Kianda School Common Room. Among the gifts the families gave the Prelate were a painting, children’s catechism books given by the author, a nativity scene, and a live Turkey to celebrate Christmas! He had a brief conversation with each family, blessed the children who were present, gave the families rosaries and imparted a blessing.
His next destination was Kibondeni College of Catering and Hospitality Management. The College imparts technical skills in the hospitality sector to young women with the aim of making them self-reliant and improving the standard of living of their families.
This year, Kibondeni College celebrates its golden anniversary. The culmination of the celebration was the visit of the Prelate to the College today. He was warmly received by the Management of the College and led to the newly inaugurated Marian Shrine. Many of the staff, students and their families were gathered at the Shrine singing a Kiswahili hymn to Our Lady.
The Father arrived amidst joyful ululations accompanied by the African drum and kayamba. He greeted those present and encouraged them to always be joyful even amidst the difficulties they may encounter. He then said a short prayer and lit the candle which Sheila, a student who was baptized in April this year, presented to him. Bakhita, the youngest daughter of the College receptionist, Victoria, offered him some flowers to present to Our Lady. The Father did so as all clapped and spontaneously broke into a Marian hymn.
Tyler and Joseph, two sons of some staff members, then presented to him a young seedling of a Thika Palm tree which he planted next to the Shrine. The Father was then accompanied to the College dining room where he signed the visitors' book and filled out a personalized certificate declaring him a golden member of the Friends of Kibondeni Association.
He then cut a beautifully decorated 50th Anniversary celebration cake. Jade and Venic, two Diploma students, offered him a handy snack bag with the College logo containing pre packs of the cake that he could take along with him in his East African travels. The Father laughed and gave a blessing to all present before leaving. The students broke into song once more and he left the College accompanied by a dancing guard of honour of elated staff and students. It was the perfect climax to their Golden Jubilee Anniversary.
In the late afternoon, at 5 pm, the Prelate went to Strathmore School for a get-together with young men. He began by reminding the standing-space crowd that December 17th was indeed a joyful day, since it was the Pope's birthday, and that we should all pray very much for him. And especially these days are joyful because they lead up to Christmas, to the birth of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Alaine, an ardent soccer player, asked how to help his friends fight against the enslavement of the social media. The Father's advice was that each person should have a very clear goal for their lives, what one really wants to achieve in life. And "the greatest goal we can have is to look for Christ, to fulfill his will, and to do so we need to form ourselves very well, knowing we are called by God.”
Andrew, a university student, asked about the unrest that can arise in trying to discern one's vocation. He was advised "to go to Jesus, to go to the tabernacle." And not to fear or be anxious that our Lord will demand something that is too difficult. "Rather what God wants will make me happy, which is what God wants for everyone, that we be happy. 'That my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full' (Jn 15:11)."
In response to a question about the struggle for purity, the Father advised him to pray "especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary, without getting discouraged because of our falls." He made the analogy that even physically when we fall to the ground we don't stay down. So too in the spiritual life. And it is this sporting spirit combined with being prudent that will help us in this struggle. He gave the example of someone facing temptations from the mobile phone at night, who makes the decision to leave it outside the room. "Ask for advice from a friend, someone who has more experience, a priest, so that your effort will be more effective." He then shared Saint Josemaria's advice to pray three Hail Mary's before going to bed every night, and to begin again in this struggle like a true sportsman.
Towards the end of the get-together a choir sang a moving rendition of Sauti Sol's "Baba Yangu" -- a song of thanks to one's father.
And with that, it was already time to finish. He reminded everyone to pray a lot for the Holy Father and then gave his fatherly blessing.
Monday, December 16
In the morning the Prelate preached a meditation and celebrated Holy Mass in Kianda School. The women present were very grateful for the effort he made to speak in English when guiding their prayer before Mass. His words centered on the astounding reality that we can all be co-workers with God – which is far beyond our own skills and talents and requires overcoming both internal and external obstacles. “Nevertheless,” Monsignor Ocariz encouraged us, “we must see all these challenges as our Father did: with a great faith that looks far into the fruitful future with supernatural optimism.”
This optimism is based on God’s love for us: “If God is for us, who is against us?” ( Rom 8:31). God our Father has given us the means to conquer in our personal struggle and to be fruitful in our apostolate. Our only weapon is prayer. As Saint Josemaria often stressed: “the only path for us is prayer: we have to pray!”
It is an optimism that leads us to pitch in with our own effort and to struggle constantly. Then we will see God in every task and in every person. This is true Christian love.
The Father ended this time of prayer with some words on Christian unity, stressing that is everyone's responsibility. He entrusted all of us to the care of our Lady, teacher of prayer and Mother of Fair Love.
The rest of the day he spent working with the Regional Commission and Advisory and meeting faithful of the Prelature in small groups.
Sunday, December 15
In the morning, Monsignor Ocáriz celebrated Holy Mass in Strathmore School.
The rest of the day was focused on two get-togethers in Nairobi with faithful of the Prelature: at Strathmore University, with men, and Kianda School, with women.
Mid-morning he went to Strathmore University, Madaraka Campus, where he greeted some families coming to see him from Tanzania. He then met with a large group of members of Opus Dei in the Auditorium of the University.
A number of those attending got a chance to present the Father with mementos. Nicholas – the first supernumerary in Africa – gave him a small statue of some shepherd boys. Leshan gave him a shuka and decorative neckpieces, worn by men in his Maasai community. A group from the Coast made him a Mijikenda elder in a brief ceremony.
But the heart of the get-together were the questions addressed to the Father, which he answered with great simplicity. John, the principal of a local boys’ day school, asked how he and his staff can give equal importance to all aspects of formation for their students, rather than just focusing on the academic. Monsignor Ocariz emphasised that an integral education addresses the intellect, will and heart of each person, and that this depends also on the environment at the school and on how teachers treat students as individual persons, with the role of tutors being very important. And last but not least, of course, on the prayer of the teachers for their students.
A businessman and father of four, Robert, asked the Father how to deal with the corruption that he encounters in his daily work. This corruption has so concerned the Conference of Catholic Bishops that they have launched a nation-wide campaign against it. His response focused on two aspects: first, fulfilling our professional duties as well as we can; and second, helping those around us – our family and friends – to do the same. He also added that when we fight against corruption, when we reject it, we shouldn’t “do so in a violent way; we reject corruption but not the corrupt person. Don’t look at that person as someone worse than you. Don’t despise that person. Seek the good of that person and the good of your country.”
After a few more questions, the get-together ended just before midday.
At 4.30 pm, the Prelate was received again amidst joyful African songs reflecting the three weeks of joyful expectation for his visit. This time it was the women in Kianda School who welcomed him. Dressed in traditional regalia and bearing gifts on their heads as is the custom, they gave him a warm welcome with a procession of songs and dances from various local dialects. In the get-together, Monsignor Ocáriz stressed the joy of Advent and reiterated the importance of fostering a joyful spirit even in times of trial.
A number of social initiatives organised by faithful of the Prelature were highlighted during this gathering. Domtila spoke about her Pregnancy Crisis Centre for young women in Kibra, a city slum, and the lives of the unborn babies that had been saved through her work. The Prelate assured her of his prayers. In response to a question by Virginia, he spoke about the importance of spiritual poverty and detachment, since happiness is not found in material possessions. Mary expressed her admiration for his intense schedule during these days and asked him for advice on how to make her time as fruitful as possible in the apostolate. Her question led the Father to speak about friendship and the virtue of order. He stressed the importance of setting priorities and working with serenity.
There was a light moment when Monica and Jennifer presented him with a Safari package to entice him to make a return visit. He delighted them by trying on the Safari Hat. The gift pack also contained a backpack, a pair of binoculars, sunglasses and a map of East Africa.
Responding to a question by Rose on how to react supernaturally to terminal illness, he spoke about the example of Our Lord when, during his Passion, he experienced the sensation of being forsaken by God the Father. He encouraged those present to contemplate Jesus on the Cross and learn from Our Lord to abandon themselves in God's hands.
He urged everyone to intensify their prayer for the Holy Father and for the Church and reminded them of the trust Our Lord is showing them in the mission He has entrusted to them. After imparting his blessing, he smiled as he left, accompanied once again by songs and dancing.
Saturday, December 14
The plane arriving from Rome touched down at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 7:45 pm. Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz was making his first visit to East Africa as Prelate of Opus Dei. He was warmly and joyfully received by the Vicar of Opus Dei in East Africa, Rev. Fr. Silvano Ochuodho, and three families: the Njais, Sibondos and Beauttahs.
The Beauttahs welcomed Monsignor Ocáriz with a bouquet of flowers and a song in Kiswahili (Kenya’s national language). The couple was accompanied by their children and grandchildren, representing three generations educated in corporate undertakings of Opus Dei in Kenya. The Njais and Sibondos also joined the welcoming entourage together with their families.
This week will be a beehive of activity as Monsignor Ocáriz will meet with the faithful of the Prelature as well as their families and friends. He will also, in his capacity as Chancellor, meet with the staff and students of Strathmore University. His agenda also includes visits to several corporate undertakings of Opus Dei:
Eastlands College of Technology, a project of Strathmore Educational Trust established in Kenya to train Micro-Entrepreneurs in basic business skills and provide ICT training as well as Electrical and Automotive technology for the youth who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Kibondeni College, a school of hospitality which aims to provide women with an all-round formation which will enable them be excellent professionals of high integrity in the service of society through the hospitality industry. This year marks 50 years since Kibondeni College was founded.