Postulant at he press 19 Jun 2010 It was a joyous and exciting day when we, Postulants of Conventual Franciscan Friars were informed that we were to visit and have an experience at Franciscan Kolbe Press in Limuru. We, together with our master Fr. Edward Ouma, arrived in Limuru on a chilly Sunday night of 23rd May ’10 to start a five-day experience...

Priestly ordination 05 Jun 2010 Our Friar Boniface Nzioki Muia was ordained a priest on 3rd June ’10 by Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva, Bishop of Machakos at his cathedral in a very beautiful celebration, where other seven candidates for diaconate from that diocese were also ordained. Apart from that the Bishop himself was celebrating 7th anniversary of his consecration...

Robbery in Subukia 29 Mar 2010 At around 1.00am on 29th March, our mission in Subukia was attacked by the thugs, who managed to enter the friary without being noticed by the watchmen, later intentionally waking up the friars announcing their presence...

I love much more and stronger … 15 Mar 2010 My name is Piotr Bielak and I live in Lublin, Poland. When I was a little boy I was really interested in missions. I wanted to become a missionary in Africa! I developed my passion through reading various books, magazines, letters and meetings with missionaries many thanks to the great White Sisters – Missionaries of Africa...

Day of Consecrated Life 02 Feb 2010 Today, 2nd February, the Church celebrates the Day of Consecrated Life. Thirteen years after establishing it by John Paul II, still it is interpreted as the feast of religious men and women only. In actual fact in recent years the number of consecrated lay virgins and widows is growing. More active are also consecrated men who belong to lay institutes. They (men and women) are specific persons, who individually fulfill their vocation of consecrated life, however in the world, or even as hermits...

Jubilee closing celebrations 17 Dec 2009 The great Jubilee of Franciscan Order has come to an end (at least in Kenya). As you know, for last three years we have been preparing ourselves through various teachings, letters, retreats and celebrations to mark the 800 years of our Charism, given to us and to the entire Church by God through our Founder St. Francis of Assisi. Here in Kenya Friars also thanked for God’s graces in past 25 years of the service to God’s people of Kenya...

Graduation 28 Nov 2009 Seven pupils graduated from St. Joseph of Cupertino Wilson Nursery School in Nairobi on 26th November during very colorful ceremony. The nursery school that on Sundays serves also as the church was full of the kids and their parents and friends. The event was opened with a word of prayer and few speeches followed by artistic program: skit, dance, song, fashion show...

Soccer Champions 2009 27 Oct 2009 In the finals, we met three communities, in other words, a team made-up of three distinct communities. We got shaken but we used the wise person’s slogan ‘the best thing you can do when you are not brave is to profess courage and act accordingly’ despair gives courage to the weak, and is the offspring of fear, of laziness and impatience. ‘We are giving up’ we said to one another. We said our famous prayer “St. Michael the Archangel…”. Our fear proved who we are, the Conventuals. We clash them by a long goal to nil. We did what we know best ‘play our own game’. Our courage was guided by our skills and our skills were armed by courage...

Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Subukia 26 Oct 2009 October, the month when we honor Blessed Virgin Mary, and pray the Rosary, powerful prayer, which Our Lady during her apparitions encourages us to beg God for peace in the world; this month was a good opportunity for our Christians from Nairobi South C Parish to visit the Village of Mary at Subukia. Over fifty pilgrims, young and old, healthy and sick, traveled two hundred and ten kilometers praying throughout the way for peace, justice, reconciliation in the country, for the blessing of the construction of a new church in our parish, and for blessing in the families...

Catholic Men Association and the Holy Family 18 Oct 2009 ...Your Catholic commitment to C.M.A. is about transformation of society, not transcendence of self. In other words, transforming society is about investing in people and leaving in them a legacy of generosity, friendship and love…

Three celebrations 13 Oct 2009 Dear Friends, I wish to present to you some of the major events that happened during last few months: priestly ordination of Fr. Josphat Njogu Mbui, solemn profession of Bro. Boniface Nzioki Muia, diaconate ordination of Dc. Boniface Nzioki Muia and Dc. Wojciech Lepkowski...

Friars' Retreat 04 Jul 2009 The retreat focused on the indispensable relevance of the infancy narratives especially in regard to the Friar Minors. The director of the retreat Fr. Guglielmo Spirito from the Theological Institute of Assisi, began by quoting a former Dominican Minister General who likens our spiritual life with the computer technology. The former Dominican says that our spiritual authenticity can be likened to a screen saver which appears after all the other programs are shut. A good example is a friar whose vocation remains at the nominal level. Such a friar could be always busy doing things which are far from his calling. As soon as he deems it necessary and indeed favourable, he switches on to the acceptable screen saver of his life. This is very tragic and will always be quite frustrating...

Youth workshop 21 Jun 2009 The Franciscan Youth from Nairobi South C parish had an opportunity to learn more about HIV/AIDS issues and behaviour change. The talk had turned into very lively discussion and interaction between the speakers and the youth, who also challenged each another...

Franciscan Jubilee 11 May 2009 In the year of the great jubilee of our Franciscan Order, that celebrates 800 years of its Charism, as well as 25 years of its presence and witness in Kenya, Friars have gathered at St. Bonaventure Formation House in Nairobi, continuing to ponder over their vocation, trying to go back to the very roots of the Franciscan fraternity...

National Prayer Day 11 May 2009 On first Saturday of May (2nd May), some two thousand people came to Subukia National Shrine for the National Prayer Day, asking Blessed Virgin Mary for protection, and offering their struggles of pilgrimage for peace, reconciliation and prosperity of this great country. During the Mass concelebrated by Provincial Custos Fr. Tadeusz Brzozowski and other Franciscan Friars, the Director of the Shrine Fr. Dennis Ntabo Gwaro addressed the faithful and appealed for the support of construction of new Shrine’s church...

National Marian Shrine development 07 May 2009 We Franciscans as custodians of the National Marian Shrine in Subukia, Kenya, approach you, our Dear Friends, with a special request. Through the Kenya Episcopal Conference, God has given us a wonderful gift – a newly born National Marian Shrine...

Tractor for Subukia Shrine's farm 16 Mar 2009 Conventual Franciscan Friars from Subukia Shrine would like to share the joy of purchasing a new tractor to develop the Shrine's land and cultivate its farm. After long struggle and with a significant help of our friends from Germany we could finalize the project. The tractor is Tiger, 4x4 WD, 70 hp with turbo from the Italian company, SAME...

Formators' meeting (AFCOF) 11 Mar 2009 On 9th March the first Meeting of International Commission of Formation of AFCOF Federation, had started in Nairobi. This is happening on the 20th Anniversary from the moment of AFCOF was formed by the then Assistant and Secretary General for Missions – fr. Sebald Reil, who died on 14th February 1992...

Franciscan Jubilee 01 Mar 2009 Franciscan Family Association in Kenya decided to mark the great Jubilee of 800 years of Franciscan Charism with monthly recollection days throughout the year...

We all have the same goal – being with God in heaven... 21 Jan 2009 A Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was an ocassion for a meeting organized by the Franciscans in Nairobi South C with the Anglican priest Reverend Peter Nzimbi, who have come with his spouse Mrs. Laureen Mburi...

Death announcement 12 Jan 2009 With profound saddness today, Monday, January 12, 2009, at 9.00 in the morning, Friar Basil Heiser went to the Father. He died in Salvator Mudi Hospital in Rome, completeing his time on earth having just celebrated his 100th birthday. He was Minister General from 1960 to 1972...

Christmas greetings from Provincial Custos 22 Dec 2008 It is a time of Christmas! Jesus Christ is born for us! May the coming of Emmanuel be the answer to all the longing in our life. All of our restlessness, Dear Brothers, is a longing to see the face of God...

Habemus Custodem 13 Nov 2008 On 13th November 2008, at 15.30 the Capitulars, in first ballot, have elected for the second term Rev. Fr. Tadeusz Brzozowski. At 18.00 also Definitors have been elected: Fr. James Wangai Kabata – Custodial Vicar (first term) Bro. Robert Kozielski – Custodial Secretary (second term) Fr. Kazimierz Szulc - Bursar (first term) Fr. Edward Ouma Owino - Exactor (first term) Deo gratias!...

Ordinary Custodial Chapter 11 Nov 2008 On 11th November 2008 in Ruiri, the very first Franciscan mission in Kenya, twenty-three Friars have gathered for the II Ordinary Chapter of the Franciscan Provincial Custody in Kenya. During opening Eucharist to the Holy Spirit Minister General Fr. Marco Tasca following the Gospel of the day stressed the simplicity, humility, openness and readiness for whatever the Lord has prepared for us...

St. Francis celebrations 05 Oct 2008 According to the Franciscan tradition 3rd October for the spiritual sons and daughters of St. Francis of Assisi is the day of commemorating his Transitus – passing from earthy to heavenly life. For last few years it has been a tradition that all branches of Franciscan Family (I, II and III Order) gather together to celebrate that important day. This year hundreds of Sisters and Brother prayed together at the formation house of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi...

Reasons to celebrate 15 Sep 2008 This year the month of September for the Franciscan is a time for gratitude to God for His blessing. Month for joy, happiness and celebrations. On 6th Friar Edward Wambua Mulwa was ordained as priest. the same day Friars Josphat Njogu Mbui and Everest Mkenda (Tanzania) were ordained as deacons. Now we have another two reasons to celebrate...

Ordinations 07 Sep 2008 Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi Rt. Rev. David Kamau has conducted Mass of priestly ordination of deacon Edward Wambua Mulwa and diaconate of friars Josaphat Njogu Mbui and Everest Mkenda (Tanzania)...

Free medical camp 28 Aug 2008 From 31st July to 28th August doctors: Aleksandra Modlinska, Anna and Dariusz Babinski (with their daughter Weronika) from Medical Academy in Gdansk, Poland in conjunction with Polish Franciscans already forth time have organized a free medical camp for the poor in Kenya...

Religious profession 07 Aug 2008 The Franciscan superiors and formators from Africa (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) together with Minister General Fr. Marco Tasca have met in Lusaka, Zambia from 21st to 26th July 2008 for their annual meeting which was combined with the celebration of religious profession...

Kenya Friars in Poland 16 Jul 2008 It has been a kind of tradition that after so called on-going formation programme for the young friars, organized by the Order in Italy, our Kenya Friars: Godfrey Oduor Opata, Dennis Ntabo Gwaro and Edward Ouma Owino had an opportunity to visit Poland, the motherland of their confreres...

Limuru-Nairobi Youth exchange programme 24 Jun 2008 On Sunday 22nd June, the youth from two Franciscan parishes from Limuru and Nairobi South ‘C’ inaugurated the exchange programme of “Franciscan Youth” in Kenya. Over seventy youth from Limuru hosted a small group from Nairobi...

Limuru girls' celebration 14 Jun 2008 On the feast of St. Anthony our two communities from Nairobi and Limuru, as usually on that day, gathered together in the rehabilitation centre for the girls in Limuru (St. Anthony Children’s Home) to celebrate the Mass and enjoy some moments with the kids. >>>

Children's Day 01 Jun 2008 Thanks to the Franciscan Youth and Sunday School Teachers that more than hundred children from South C could participate in the fun day organized especially for them at the ground of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish. The senior youth prepared for the young ones some games and entertainments...

National Prayer Day at Subukia 24 May 2008 More than three thousand faithful gathered on Saturday May 24th at Subukia National Marian Shrine as an answer to Kenya Bishops and Conventual Franciscan Friars invitation for National Prayer Day. The number was smaller, comparing to the previous years, due to the situation in Kenya, where many people stay in the camps and others are afraid of lack of security on the roads...

National Prayer Day 09 May 2008 Conventual Franciscan Friars together with Kenya Bishops invite all people of good will for National Prayer Day at Subukia National Shrine of Our Lady. The celebration will begin on Friday 23rd May with overnight vigil. On Saturday morning 24th May, all the groups will be welcomed and the celebration will begin with the introduction of the day...

Youth recollection 17 Apr 2008 On Saturday 12th April, the youth from our parish in Nairobi South 'C' were celebrating a day of recollection. At the beginning heavy rain scared some of the participants...

Extension of formation house 18 Mar 2008 With tremendous financial help from general curia in Rome, provincial curia in Gdansk (Poland) and African Conference AFCOF, on 13th March 2008 the extension of formation house in Nairobi Lang’ata has began....

Conventuals - The 2nd team in Nairobi 08 Mar 2008 Conventual Franciscan team emerge as second in the "Tangaza Tournament" after loosing to Consolata team in penalties 4:2 at Don Bosco “Utume” ground. The tournament started on 11th January...

Messenger of Mary Immaculate 29 Feb 2008 Messenger of Mary Immaculate since March – April 2008 issue has a new look. Now the magazine has new logo, and has been enriched by professional photos, modern style of marking the titles as well as new page look. The Messenger for the first time was issued in 1984 and since that time comes out every two months. It is a catholic magazine for all, especially it is a tool of formation for the members of the movement of Militia Immaculate...

Extraordinary chapter 11 Feb 2008 On 21st and 22nd January 2008 extraordinary chapter of the Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi took place, chaired by Custos Provincial Fr. Tadeusz Brzozowski. A member of the custody and General Assistant Fr. Tadeusz Swiatkowski participated in that gathering, which main purpose was to prepare the custodial statutes...