On May 16, 2025, the Franciscan Family experienced a time of great joy as twelve Conventual Franciscan friars and three Capuchin Franciscan friars were ordained to the diaconate. The ordinations took place at the Conventual Franciscan Parish Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, located in the South C neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya.
The new Conventual Franciscan deacons are: from the Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia: Friars Albert CHISENGA, Mathews Mankwa SIMBUZA, Geremia Bwalya LUBUNDA, Joshua McAngel MAGABA, John Lengwe MUSONDA, and Brian Kambani ZIMBA. From the Provincial Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Tanzania: Friars Respick J. Chacha NGOWI, Severin Clement HAMZA and Jeremiah Josiah SAMO. From the Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Kenya: Friars Samuel Mulu NDAMBUKI, Charles Magangi OMBWORI and Albert Wambua MATHIAS. The newly ordained Capuchins are Friars Michael MUNOVI, Samuel MWANJE and Moses MOKAYA.
Parishioners filled the beautiful church, together with visitors from far and wide. Also present were large numbers of Capuchin and Conventual friars as well as diocesan clergy. This demonstrated the joy of unity among the Franciscan families and the wider Catholic Church community in Kenya.
The Most Reverend George MUTHAKA, OFM Cap., Bishop o Garissa, Kenya, presided over the liturgical celebration. In his homily, he underlined the primacy of grace in our vocation, which enables friars to avoid any pride in their various apostolates. In addition, the bishop, quoting Pope Francis of happy memory, emphasized the need to love those we serve, “living with the odor of the flock.” For his part, the Capuchin Superior in Kenya, Friar Arnold SHIRIMA, urged the friars to embark on a life of prayer and cherish their relationship with Christ.
The celebration lasted over four hours, but the joy of participating renewed both the happiness of the religious vocation and a sense of gratitude to God.
Friar Paul Kiarie NJUGUNA
