Zelo Zelatus Sum Pro Domino Deo Exercitum

The

Newsletter of The Third Order , Kenya July—August 2021 No 14

TOC Director Fr. Denis Omae, O. Guide youth with love Carm, Deacon Eugene Ekeya, O. Carm, National TOC Chairman Amos Ochieng’ and all members of the National Council wish all TOCs and with compassion a Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on 16th July.

As the world marked one One of the areas that the TOC National Council continues to focus on and em- phasise is the welfare and recruitment of young people. Before the lockdown and a half years after Covid occasioned by the COVID 19 pandemic, TOC Director Fr. Denis Omae, O. -19 was reported, and as Carm. and Deacon Eugene Ekeya O. Carm. held several seminars for young people in various counties in the country which will continue once the situation various strains of the virus improves and current travel and association restrictions are lifted. Challenges continued to ravage the continue to affect the youth. GREG AKIDE, TOC MUMIAS, looks at some challenges that young people are going through due to the pandemic and gives globe, much of global atten- suggestions of how these can be met in the Christian spirit. tion has been on the nega- tive economic impact the disease has had on econo- mies. The social impact of Covid -19 has not received as much media and political attention as the eco- nomic impact, yet the social dev- astation left on youth, families,

Turn to page 6 Col 1 Youths who joined Mumias TOC in May. Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel THE FEAST OF OUR LADY of Our Lady of Mount Carmel entered Mount Carmel, celebrated on July the Calendar of the universal Church 16, was first instituted in the late in the early 18th century. 14th century in commemoration of Although there is no historical evi- the approval of the rule of the Car- dence for the pre-Christian Carmelite melite Order a hundred years earli- community, references in the 12th er. According to legend, a religious century record a community of monks community was established even on the holy mountain. Despite contin- before the time of Christ on Mount ual difficulties, the community built a Carmel. This is the mountain over- monastery and church dedicated to the looking the Mediterranean Sea on Virgin Mary on Mount Carmel in which the prophet Elijah successfully 1263. Louis, King of France, challenged the priests of Baal and won the people to the true God. The feast of Turn to page 8 Col 1 FROM THE DIRECTOR Let us all recommit to the building of our spiritual centre in Naru Moro

GREETINGS TO ALL brethren portance of the dwelling place of God. The and our esteemed readers, world needs more connections with sacred places and as a family of Carmelites here in We all know that our confidence comes Kenya, we want to provide this opportunity to from accomplishing our small duties. As many faithful for their spiritual growth. the Editorial Team, we are proud that every moment we share a new issue of The Scap- Now his parents went to Jerusalem ular, reach someone new. It is for this rea- every year at the feast of the Passo- son that we want to make the next issue a ver. And when he was twelve years unique one. Here is how we are going to do old, they went up according to cus- it; reach out to the friends who you have been sharing our newsletter with and ask tom; and when the feast was ended, them to write a paragraph of their testimo- as they were returning, the boy Jesus ny on how they have benefited from it. stayed behind in Jerusalem. His This will be a new form of evangelization. parents did not know it, but suppos- We should never undermine our experienc- ing him to be in the company they es. When we manage to collect these testi- went a day’s journey, and they monies, they will remain a source of inspi- ration to many. As a family, we are re- sought him among their kinsfolk minded to keep doing the little things with and acquaintances; and when they great love. A good example: did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. Lk 2 :41-45 On the third day, there was a will intercede for us. It is always good to marriage at Cana in Galilee, and make our personal requests but not without a We are to take the role of the parents of Jesus the mother of Jesus was there; common request as a family. For this com- of directing him to the Temple and while in the Temple, the Lord takes over. We know Jesus also was invited to the mar- ing month, let present our project of building what it means to be in the presence of God. riage, with his disciples. When the the spiritual center to the care of Our Moth- er. We all desire to be gathering as a family. This is the gift we have to share to the world. wine failed, the mother of Jesus This is going to be a reality very soon. All We are privileged having inherited a rich said to him, “They have no wine.” we need now is to intensify out networking. spiritual tradition. It remains our responsibil- And Jesus said to her, “O woman, ity to pass it to the next generation. This It should never slip our mind that this Octo- what have you to do with me? My needs all of us in laying good foundations ber, we will be marking four years of our hour has not yet come.” His especially in our country. It is a good habit commitment without regret of the two years always to be found in the house of the Lord. mother said to the servants, “Do lost because of covid-19. Now with renewed whatever he tells you.” Jn 2:1-5 efforts, we are assured to do it even in a May we respond as our Mother did, Behold, I shorter time. We will do this as our thanks- am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me The concern of the mother of Jesus did not according to your word (Lk 1:38). giving to our God for His protection and create an impact at that very moment but providence. The best gift our Mother gave did so afterward. She knew what she ex- We wish you a graceful solemnity of our the couple was wine. In Jewish culture, wine pected for the couple as a mother. Placing Lady of Mt. Carmel. is a source of joy in a celebration. Today, we her request to her son, she did it with a lot need a spiritual center that will bring joy to Fr Denis Omae, O Carm. of trust and in return her trust was reward- many who are in need of the visitation of our ed. We are entering the month of the So- Mother. - Director, TOC lemnity of Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Let us go before our mother with trust that she From the Scriptures, we know the im-

The Scapular is a newsletter of the Third Order Carmelites, Kenya ( TOC – Kenya) Address : P. O Box 167– 00511 Ong’ata Rongai, Kenya Telephone: (254) 791842080 Website: http:/ thirdordercarmeliteskenya.org Facebook: Place of Our Lady of Mt Carmel: Third Order, Carmelites, Kenya. Editorial Committee: Fr. Denis Omae, O. Carm, Bro Eugene Ekeya, Amos Ochieng’, Esther Kamwe- ru, Tito Mrefu, Juliana Kala, Evasio Ntwiga, Imelda Adikinyi. FROM THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN Flaming love of the united hearts of Jesus and Mary Two hearts bonded in love and sorrow

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Carmel, it’s my wish to draw your attention to the great Love drawn from the great Hearts of Jesus and Mary His Mother. While the month of May is outrightly dedicated to the and more so the strengthening of the Family Rosary, June is dedicated to the two hearts; the Scared Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In biological sense, it can be said that the heart of Jesus originated from Mary the mother. Emotionally, it can be said the two hearts shared and journeyed in the same path towards the same destiny though in different setup. While one carried the burden of human sin, the other carried the sorrow associated with the task of redeeming humans from their sinful nature. A deadly task by any means! “There is no greater love than this: that a person would lay down his life for the sake of his friends”- John 15;13

Mary and Jesus held their hearts at every gasp of their life on earth and more spe- take by Origen, a famous theologian who cifically on the way of the cross. The Sa- compiled a multi-lingual edition of the cred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Bible in the Third Century, A. D.. Heart of Mary are like each other in many John 19:34 - "One of the soldiers opened aspects and are united in the works of His side with a lance, and immediately redemption. As Carmelites, we can’t miss there came out blood and water." to meditate the greater Love that issued forth from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, This passage refers to the piercing of since as it is one could not do without the Christ's Heart as He hang in death upon the other humanly speaking. And so, we are Cross. The blood and water have always called to discover as Carmelites the been seen by Roman Catholics to mystical- depths of what it means to be a child of ly symbolize and effect the origin and the God and a daughter or son of our lady by Sacraments of the . It was having an allegiance to the two united at the piercing of Christ's Heart in death hearts. that Mary's Heart was pierced in spirit, thus fulfilling Luke 2:35, and exemplifying the The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are men- profound mystical union of the Heart of tioned explicitly only briefly in the text of Jesus with the Heart of Mary in the work of what the shepherds had reported. the New Testament. Nevertheless, the our redemption. This union began when by many references to the love and compas- Luke 2:51b - "His Mother kept all these the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary con- sion of Jesus and Mary, as well as implied things carefully in Her Heart." ceived the Heart of Jesus beneath Her own references to their Hearts, provide a vivid Heart. It is consummated when at one and revelation of the Two Hearts. It is remark- This passage refers to the events surround- the same time these Two Hearts are immo- able that the few explicit references all ing the loss of Jesus for three days during a lated for our salvation. And now in heaven, bear upon the work of redemption. Some visit to Jerusalem, and how Mary and Jo- it continues forever as the sole source of of the more important references are: seph found Him teaching the doctors of the mankind's salvation and sanctification. Mosaic Law in the Temple, to the amaze- Matthew 11:25 - "Learn from Me for I ment of all who heard Him. In the Liturgy am meek and humble of heart." Luke 2:35:- "Your own soul a sword shall Even before the beginning of private reve- This passage refers to Our Lord's invita- pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts lations of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and tion to imitate the dispositions and virtues may be revealed." Mary in modern times, St. John Eudes had of His own human Heart, reflecting upon obtained permission from the ecclesiastical His ineffable humility in becoming man This passage is spoken by the old man Sim- authorities to celebrate the Feast of the and being born in a stable; His remarkable eon on the occasion of Mary bringing Jesus Heart of Mary liturgically. This was done patience in living a hidden, obscure life to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer Him to for the first time at Autun, France, on May for 30 years; His unsurpassed charity in God according to the custom of the Mosaic 8, 1648 A. D.. In 1799, Pius VI per- preaching, teaching, working miracles, Law. In it, Simeon prophesies that Mary will mitted religious societies in the archdiocese healing the bodies and souls of believers share in the salvific sufferings of Her Son. of Palermo, Sicily, to celebrate a similar and unbelievers; His perfect obedience to John 7:38b - "From His Heart will flow feast. In 1805 Pope Pius VII extended this the Father in enduring without complaint rivers of living water." permission to all religious societies and the bitter agony and infamy of death on dioceses throughout the world. On July 21, the Cross. This reading is based on the most reliable 1855, the Sacred Congregation of Rites texts of the Gospel of St. John. It refers di- approved for the universal Roman Catholic Luke 2:19 - "Mary kept in mind all rectly to the Heart of the Messiah, and re- Church, an Office and Mass in honour of these things, pondering them in Her calls the prophesies of Isaiah (Isaiah 12:3) Heart." the Most Pure Heart of Mary. It was Vener- And St. John goes on to explain in verse 39, able Pope Pius XII who had the joy to insti- This passage refers to the visit of the that Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit, tute the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of shepherds to the Child Jesus in His crib at which He Himself will give, from His Heart, Mary for the universal Church in 1945. Bethlehem. It refers directly to what they to those who believe in Him. The reading reported regarding the heavenly host of which is found in most translations - refer- Amos Ochieng’, TOC angels that came to announce the birth of ring to the hearts of believers - is a variant the Messiah, and how all marveled at believed to have its source in a textual mis- - National Chairman CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY Living and passing on the legacy

wish in future to look back with joy and contentment. It is a given that doing good will have one’s psychology being more stable and consoled. Doing evil will have one’s memories disturbed. So, we can ask ourselves and think about the legacy we want to leave for our families, our communities, our societies and our world. Most people never give a second thought or even reflect about it. But a legacy is something we are creating each and every day whether we realize it or not. Re- gardless of where we are in life, we can clear away any clutter and start creating a legacy. TWO TYPES OF LEGACIES There are two types of legacies. The positive or negative legacy. A positive legacy is one that a per- son has lived a contented and sat- isfied life and has made impact in the life of others. A negative lega- cy is one that a person lived a life of selfishness, a life focused on oneself and never transcends be- yond himself or herself. So, each one of us has to make a choice of By Deacon Eugene Ekeya, O. had on people. It is evident that leaving a positive or negative leg- Carm. there are people above this age acy. Most people maybe never AT LEAST AT ONE POINT who are successful and so their consciously choose one or the oth- WE ARE preoccupied or we children and the people they have er, it just happens to them. But the were preoccupied with a poten- come into contact. goal for me and you is to make a tial future of having a happy Let’s take an example of a teach- conscious decision, making a family, marriage, business, hav- er who can look back with a lot choice and maintaining it every ing numerous vacations, educa- of pride on the students he or she day and remaining focused on the tion achievement and many ele- has guided who have excelled in legacy we want to leave. ments of self-actualization. life. So, let’s say at the age of Often when we think of legacy, Studies show at 65+ there is a 65+ unlike 20, is already resigned we think of material possessions, shift from imaginations to reflec- from doing much in life. So, re- the things we own and we want to tions of what happened and what flections happen than anything leave for our future generation but did not happen over the past. else on the impact he or she had. in reality, it is about who we are There is reflection of the achieve- From the above example we real- and how we touch other people’s ments and what one has accom- ize that we are challenged to lives. plished and the impact one has make decisions every day if we We have to walk in the knowledge CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY of what matters. To start purpose- fully creating a legacy we need to ask ourselves questions like given twenty-five years after our death, what if anything, will those be- yond my family remember me for? If I had to give everything I own to a cause, not a person, what cause would that be? Answering these questions honestly will guide us into channeling our ener- gy, our focus into that which will be great and thus living a satisfied life that at our old age, reflection time, we appreciate and with joy welling up from our hearts for the good we have done. is what the world needs from me others, today and every day. Let and you. Out of the awareness of us own the tradition that has been While on the surface the ques- being present before a loving tions above may sound simple, passed to us and thus pass to our God let us leave behind the best future generation. when it comes to answering them, and most beautiful parts of us to one will realize that each question requires deep thought. One might take even days for one to come up with the answers. The positive legacy we want to choose and to “Brethren leave for others is passed to com- ing generations. Having lived an let us impactful life, our immediate family to the larger society will remember live to appreciate and continue what we left in them. that it is not As Carmelites, who are to cham- pion prayer in our daily lives, we what we realize this is a tradition that has leave FOR been passed to us, we are the cus- todians of this legacy now which others that we are to live it fully, touch others matters but by exemplary life of prayer which stirs our service of others in our rather it is community. Let us impact others with our loving presence through what we our prayers. Hastening to attend leave IN the needs of our brothers and sis- ters thus bringing the joy of the them that children of God to all. matters Brethren let us remember that it is most.” not what we leave FOR others that matters but rather it is what we leave IN them that matters most. Possessions, wealth do not make a true legacy rather it is leaving behind the essence of our authentic souls animated by pray- er, community and service. That NEWS Guide youth with love and compassion

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heard about or discreetly found Google-inspired life styles livelihoods, relationships and viewed and read on their mobile demanded their inheritance in or- their future will be with us long devices. Regular experimenta- der to invest in the boda- boda after Covid-19 has gone away. tion with drugs, alcohol and sex business to make money. With The first official case of Covid 19 was, and still is, the norm. With little or no riding experience, they was reported in Kenya in March the regular school teacher away, ended up in accidents or, in ex- 2020. This led to an unprecedent- youth depended on what came treme cases, died, Brian says. ed disruption of life as we knew to be known as “Teacher Google” for everything they Large numbers of boys engaged it. Schools and colleges calendars in the lucrative cross-border trade, were disrupted and rafts of needed to know. Teacher Google took the place once oc- dealing in contraband to make measures were instituted by Gov- quick money. Those that made ernment to help curb the spread cupied by parents, uncles, aunts and the community. money in these businesses did not of the disease. Social gatherings resume studies once schools re- including worship, weddings and The government “stay-at-home” opened. They found themselves funerals were stopped or greatly restrictions exposed youth to starting families at very tender controlled. domestic violence leaving ado- ages. The social impact of these lescents, women and children vulnerable to violence from Unable to keep them on the measures was far-reaching and straight and narrow, parents liter- impacted all demographics. For- family members and care-givers with long-lasting psychological ally left these youth to their peers mal jobs were lost, schooling was and to Teacher Google. Young interrupted, businesses collapsed impact. Increased cases of in- cest reported in the local media school girls, owing to peer pres- and wage-earners were laid off sure and lack of parental guid- leading to depressed family in- during this period can be at- tributed to this stay-at –home ance, resorted to commercial sex comes. Even informal trade, work in urban centres. which many families depend on, order. could not survive. Brian Opemi, a Catholic Church We can only surmise that with youth leader I spoke to, recount- such immoral lifestyles during this The youth were thrown into a life Covid pandemic period, our youth they could hardly cope with. ed how several youth had their education cut short due to early may have procured several unsafe Lengthy school and college clo- abortions. Do-it-yourself methods sures presented them with ample marriage during the long schools and colleges closure. of abortion by Teacher Google time, perhaps more than at any were only a click away. other time, in their lives. With The well-meaning flexibility churches closed, school out of the and commitment by schools to How, we might ask, did we get way, teachers on holiday and par- ensure continuity in learning ourselves into this space? Have ents struggling to cope, the youth, through various platforms we been poor role models for our with no guidance, were left to opened access to on-line plat- youth? Did society neglect its their own devices. forms that derailed morals. communal responsibility to our youth? Are certain aspects of our The effects of free time led to Pregnancies among the youth were on a scale unknown. legislation responsible for what dangerous experimentation with we now witness? Was disrespect aspects of life that they had only Young men, on the other hand, seeking to finance their new- for parents, waywardness and im- NEWS

delegated to the school teacher, to peers and to the internet. They real- ized that they did not know their chil- dren as well as they thought they did. Parents were in unfamiliar territory for ten months of the year. Are parents as helpless and as blame- less as they claim to be? What role can society play to help salvage this generation of youth? Can what has gone wrong be re-set? Speaking to another Catholic youth leader, Daphne Ndonji, a school teacher herself, there still exist ways in which society can help salvage the youth from this sorry state. Society, for a start, should show compassion, forgiveness and love to our youth, and accept them back just as they are - broken and sinful. Christian teachings emphasize com- passion, love and forgiveness in all circumstances. However, this love and compassion should be peppered with strict Christian guidance. The well-known parable of the Prodigal PMC Ikumari local church of Mweiga Parish display they were given by TOCs from Mweiga in June. Son is a good example. Even in extreme circumstances, as in the morality always simmering under case of the woman who was caught in them up in the discipline of the adultery (John 8: 1-9), Jesus advised: the surface and only required a Lord”- Ephesians 6:1-4 trigger, which Covid-19 disrup- “….Let anyone among you who is without tions provided? I find the words, “… bring them sin be the first to throw a stone at her” up in the discipline of the Lord” Jesus then straightened up and said to the A Christian parent’s biggest de- a strong reminder to parents to woman, “…Go your way, and from now sire is to bring up a wholesome take care of what the Lord has on do not sin again” Christian family, respectful, law given them – children. It would Jesus’ words to the woman, “…do not sin abiding, successful and morally be irresponsible of a parent to again” should be viewed as strict Chris- upright. bring children into the world tian guidance from the Son of God Him- and abandon them to vices such self. This is the sort of guidance our youth I found no better message than should be given. This story is one of grace that of Paul to the Ephesians: as drugs, immorality and Teach- and compassion. It also teaches us that, er Google. “Children, obey your parents in that same grace empowers us to no longer be victims or slaves of sin, but to go and For too long, and due to modern the Lord, for this is right. sin no more. “Honour your father and mother lifestyles, parents have abdicat- Greg W. Akide that it may go well with you and ed their parental roles to school that you may live long in the teachers. During the Covid-19 TOC- Mumias land” Fathers, do not provoke long holidays, parents were your children to anger, but bring clueless about how to play this role because it had long been NEWS Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel

From Page 1 to the Blessed Virgin ... the Rosary and your special relationship with Mary, the the Scapular of Carmel" and in another Mother of Jesus, whom you pledge to had visited Mount Carmel in 1254, and place referred to the Scapular as: "so imitate. May it be a reminder to you of brought back six French hermits for highly recommended by our illustrious your dignity as a Christian in serving whom he built a convent near Paris. predecessors." others and imitating Mary. Wear it as a Mount Carmel was taken in 1291, and According to Church tradition, there are sign of her protection and of belonging the brothers were killed and the convent to the family of Carmel, vol- burned. The spread of the Car- untarily doing the will of God melites in Europe is largely and devoting yourself to attributable to the work of Saint building a world true to his (1247-1265). The plan of community, justice Carmelite Order was formally and peace." approved in 1274 at the Coun- The scapular stands for: cil of Lyon.  A commitment to follow The Scapular of Our Lady of Jesus, like Mary, the perfect Mount Carmel model of all the disciples of The brown Scapular of Our Christ. This commitment Lady of Mount Carmel, accord- finds its origin in baptism. ing to the Carmelite tradition,  It leads into the commu- was presented by Our Lady to nity of Carmel, a community St. Simon Stock, the then Fa- of religious men and women, ther General on July 16, which has existed in the 1251. Our Lady gave St. Si- Church for over eight centu- mon a scapular for the Carmel- ries. ites with the following promise,  It reminds of the exam- saying : "Receive, My beloved ple of the of Carmel, son, this habit of thy order: this with whom it establishes a shall be to thee and to all Car- close bond as brothers and melites a privilege, that whoso- sisters. ever dies clothed in this shall  It is an expression of never suffer eternal fire .... It the belief that the bearers of shall be a sign of salvation, a the scapular will meet God in protection in danger, and a eternal life, aided by the in- pledge of peace." tercession and prayers of Another important aspect of wearing the three conditions necessary to participate Mary. Scapular is the Sabbatine Privilege. This in this Privilege and share in the other concerns a promise made by Our Lady spiritual benefits of the Scapular: wear Carmelites insist that the scapular to Pope John XXII. In a papal letter he the Brown Scapular, observe chastity is not: issued, he recounted a vision that he had according to your state in life, and pray had. He stated that the Blessed Virgin the Rosary. In addition to the Sabbatine  A magical charm to protect some- had said to him in this vision, concern- Privilege, enrollment in the Brown one. ing those who wear the Brown Scapular: Scapular also makes a person part of the  An automatic guarantee of salva- "I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend Carmelite family throughout the world. tion on the Saturday after their death and They therefore share in all of the prayers  An excuse for not living up to the whomsoever I shall find in Purgatory, I and good works of the Carmelite Orders. shall free, so that I may lead them to the demands of the Christian life In order to receive the spiritual blessings It is instead a sign which has been ap- holy mountain of life everlasting." associated with the Scapular, it is neces- Many and saints have strongly proved by the Church for over seven sary to be formally enrolled in the centuries and which stands for the deci- recommended wearing the Brown Scap- Brown Scapular. The enrollment is ular to the Catholic Faithful. Pope Pius sion to: made only once by a priest or authorized  Follow Jesus like Mary XII said: "The Scapular is a practice of person. The Scapular can be replaced piety which by its very simplicity is suit- afterwards by a medal, which has on one  Be open to God and to his will. ed to everyone, and has spread widely side the image of the Sacred Heart of  Be guided by faith, hope, and love. among the faithful of Christ to their spir- Jesus and on the other, the image of  To pray at all times itual profit." In our own times, Pope Mary.  To discover God present in all that Paul VI said: "Let the faithful hold in There a short form for giving the scapu- happens around us. high esteem the practices and devotions lar: "Receive this Scapular, a sign of - Courtesy of the Catholic News Agency TESTIMONY Roseanne: My life as a member of the Third Order Carmelite

I JOINED NGANDU GIRLS High though I live in Kirinyaga County. School in 1981 as a Form One student. Before I joined the school, I had heard Challenges that I have encountered as of the Third Order Carmelites, though Carmelite with a negative connotation, from my In secondary school, I faced some few sister who had completed Form 4 in the challenges. There was this one time that same school. we were in Form 5. Some girls in our She kept telling us that the school had a class who were not Catholic were meeting small group of girls who were traitors or secretly and protesting against attending boot lickers, called Carmelites. So when I mass on Sundays before their Pastor joined the school, I did not want anything to would come. Someone reported them to do with the group. the principal. The issue was sorted out but Every day after supper, I would go to say my classmates alleged that I was the one my private prayers in the church and I who had reported them to the Principal. would stay in front as the Carmelite group Most of them refused to talk to me for would meet at the back of the church. some time but I carried the cross. After sometime, one of the Carmelites ap- At the University, those we were with at proached me and asked me to be joining high school backslid. I would invite them them for prayers instead of praying alone. to the meetings orgainsed by Fr Demarie I did not hesitate as I had admired the way but they said they were busy. they were praying as a group. I was received As a Christian and more so a Carmelite, it in 1985 and made my first profession in was not easy with the social life at the 1986. I was elected as the chairlady of the University. I remember one day when I group when I was in Form 6. was doing my teaching practice a lecturer, The community had about 15 members. after supervising a lesson, suggested to At that time, Fr. Joseph Demarie, the Con- take me out the following day. He pointed solata priest who introduced the Lay Car- out to me that he was the only one who melites movement to Kenya in 1964, was in would be supervising me, as a way of Kiganjo Njeru. This is where we would go threatening me. As a Christian girl and to take our vows. Father would also visit us more so a Carmelite, I would not have in school especially when we had new agreed to go out with this man old enough members ready to join us. to be my father and definitely someone After Form 6, I joined the University in who was married! On the other hand, I 1987. Three of us Carmelites went to Ken- did not want to fail the teaching practice. yatta University. Fr. Demarie continued to I prayed to God to give me a way out. As follow us. He would call us for meetings, I was going home, I was pierced by a nail prayers and some high tea to the parishes on one of my feet. My leg became swol- that he was working. Sometimes, it was len and I asked permission from the Flora Hostels, Don Bosco in Hospital Hill school to go to the hospital, where I spent and Our Lady of Consolata, Westlands in the whole day. That day, the lecturer Nairobi. came and did not get me. The following During this time I was in the University, we week, another lecturer came to supervise me and informed me that there were some would attend the annual retreat at Bethany marie left Kenya, I lost touch with the changes from the University, so the other House in Sagana. Carmelites. My children were very small one would not come. After University, I was posted to Kirinyaga and I was preoccupied with them. My major challenge currently has been as a teacher at Mutira Girls Secondary I stayed in the cold for about 10 years. joining a community since there isn’t one School. I joined the Nyeri Cathedral Car- Sometimes in 2012, I felt that such an in the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a. melite Community where I knew the mem- association cannot just die. I asked Mrs. Attending meetings and prayers in Karati- bers. Karanja who told me that the Order was na, which is in Nyeri Archdiocese, has I got married in 1995. Our best couple was alive and kicking in Kenya. She directed been a challenge because of the distance Francis and Agnes Karanja. Agnes was then me to a member who I was not able to involved. the National Coordinator of the Third Order meet. I decided to search on Google

Carmelite. The couple had mentored many where I got the email of the then Director, Benefits of being a Carmelite Carmelites in this region. Fr. Onesmus Muthoka. I emailed him and The spirituality of a Carmelite requires a My happiness knew no bounds when my told him that I would want to come back. member to attend mass everyday if in a husband joined the Carmelite soon after. He He directed me and in December the same position to do so. This made me go for was received and he started taking the pro- year, I attended the retreat at Tarbo Hill mass everyday while I was in school. I fessions. We would then go to the retreat at retreat centre in Nyahururu, and since Sagana as a couple. then, I have been trying to live in the spir- We then joined the Karatina community it of Carmel. I am in Karatina Community which was nearer to Kirnyaga. After Fr De- Turn to Page 16, Col 1 AROUND THE COMMUNITIES

Elijah the Prophet, Kakamega and Lutonyi celebrating St Our Lady of Mt Carmel Nairobi in theit first meeting after Joseph the Worker at St Joseph Kakamega Cathedral. The the lockdown was lifted. Since January, the community has theme of the dy was : The Cup of Tea” . been having a pilgrimage with Our Lady of Mt Carmel where they carry her to their meetings and leave her in the house hosting the meeting until the next meeting where she is left in the house of the host of the month.

Kimilili TOC in May

Representatives from Mweiga A and B in Ikumari local church of Mweiga Parish. They presented rosar- ies and Guardian Angel medals to PMC and altar servers AROUND THE COMMUNITIES

LEFT and BELOW RIGHT: TOC Director Fr Denis, Dea- con Eugene , and Bro Thomas during the June meeting of St June meet- ing. They were joined by new members.

TOC aspirants of Mawengo Parish with their Parish Priest and acting formator Mary Ann Amolo

TOCs from St John of the Cross Machakos visiting Regi- Left: St Therese of the Child Jesus Muthambi during their May na, one of their members, in hospital on June 26. meeting in Munga Parish. AROUND THE COMMUNITIES

LEFT; mumias toc in their May for- mation and meeting. They were joined by youths from Mumias and Lwanya Parishes of Bungoma Diocese.

BELOW LEFT: Kimilili TOC in their June meeting at St Leo the Great

BELOW: Nkoroi B in their May meeting. Together with TOC director Fr Denis Omae, O. Carm.

Western region TOC leadership after their meeting in Bungoma Cathedral in May. They discussed preparations for National Council meeting, regional monthly contributions, community reports and programmes. AROUND THE COMMUNITIES

Members of St Raphael Kalnowski, Kimilili TOC with Fr. Chris at St Peter Claver Parish in Kiminini in their June. meeting

TOC Director Fr Denis, Deacon Eugene and Members of Mweiga A and B during their visit to Carmelin Kamweru and Rose Munyingi in June.

RIGHT: The Pilgrimage with Our Lady of Mt Carmel Nairobi by Our Lady of Mt Carmel Nairobi TOC contin- ued as members met for their June meeting. NEWS Carmelite saints of the month

Titus Brandsma — 26th July

Born in the Frisian city of Bolsward (The Netherlands), February 23rd in 1881, Bl. Titus Brandsma joined the Carmelites while still young and was ordained priest in 1905. He undertook further studies in Rome and was awarded a doctorate in philoso- phy at the Gregorian Pontifical University. Returning to Holland, he then taught in various schools in Holland and was named Professor of Philosophy and of the Histo- ry of Mysticism in the Catholic University of Nijmegen, where he also served as Rector Magnificus. He was noted for his constant availability to everyone and to help in any way that he could.

He was a professional journalist, and in 1935 he was appointed ecclesiastical advisor to the bishops for Catholic journalists. Both before and during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands he fought, faithful to the Gospel, against the spread of National So- cialist ideology and for the freedom of Catholic education and of the Catholic press. As a result, he was arrested and sent to a succession of prisons and concentration camps where he brought comfort and peace to his fellow prisoners and begged God’s mercy for his tormentors; on July 26th, 1942, after much suffering and humiliation, he was killed by lethal injection at Dachau concentration camp in Bavaria, Germany. He was beatified as a martyr by Pope John Paul II on November 3rd, 1985.

Edith Stein—9th August

Edith Stein was born to a Jewish family at Breslau, Germany on October 12, 1891. Through her passionate study of philosophy she searched after truth and found it in reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Jesus. In 1922 she was baptized a Catholic and in 1933 she entered the Carmel of Cologne where she took the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She was gassed and cremated at Auschwitz on August 9, 1942, during the Nazi persecution and died a martyr for the Christian faith after having offered her holocaust for the people of Israel.. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II at Cologne on May 1, 1987 who also canonized her on October 11, 1998.

Bl. Isidore Bakanja—15th August Bl. Isidore Bakanja, a member of the Boangi tribe, was born in Bokendela (Congo) between 1880 and 1890. In order to survive, even as a boy, he had to work as brick- layer or in farms. He converted to in 1906.

He was working in a plantation run by a colonialist in Ikili and was forbidden by the owner to spread Christianity among his fellow‑workers. On April 22, 1909, the super- intendent of the business tore off the Carmelite Scapular which Isidore was wearing as an expression of his Christian faith and had him severely beaten even to drawing blood.

He died on August 15, 1909 as a result of the wounds inflicted in “punishment” for his faith and which he bore patiently while forgiving his aggressor. He was beatified April 24, 1994.Las NEWS

Pope establishes ministry of catechist

By Isabella Piro News from the catechesis but also for the entire history “Fidelity to the past and responsibil- of Christian spirituality.” Postulator General Transforming society through ity for the present are necessary con- ditions for the Church to carry out Christian values her mission in the world,” writes On May 25, 2021, the Congress of Pope Francis in the Apostolic Letter Without in any way detracting from the Theological Consultors recognized Antiquum ministerium, with which the “the Bishop’s mission as the primary Holy Father institutes the lay minis- catechist in his Diocese,” nor from the the miracle attributed to the inter- try of catechist. “particular responsibility of parents for In the context of evangelisation in the the Christian formation of their chil- cession of Blessed Titus Brandsma, contemporary world and in the face of dren,” the Pope recognises the im- O. Carm., relating to the scientifi- “the rise of a globalised culture,” it is portance of lay men and women who necessary to recognise “those lay men collaborate in the service of catechesis, cally inexplicable healing of Fr. and women who feel called by virtue of going out to “encounter all those who are their baptism to cooperate in the work waiting to discover the beauty, good- Michael Driscoll, O. Carm. of catechesis.” At the same time, Pope ness, and truth of the Christian faith.” Francis emphasises the importance of Pope Francis emphasises that it is “the “genuine interaction with young peo- task of pastors to support them in this The positive result of this second, ple,” as well as “the need for creative process and to enrich the life of the fundamental stage towards canoni- methodologies and resources capable of Christian community through the recog- adapting the proclamation of the Gos- nition of lay ministries capable of con- zation, will allow the Cause to be pel to the missionary transformation tributing to the transformation of society that the Church has undertaken.” through the ‘penetration of Christian submitted to the judgment of the values into the social, political and eco- Ordinary Session of the Cardinals A new ministry with ancient nomic sectors’.” origins and Bishops, members of the Con- Avoiding clericalization gregation. In the event of a positive The new ministry has ancient origins, going back to the New Testament: it is Every catechist, says Pope Francis, outcome, the Prefect of the Con- mentioned, for example, in the Gospel “must be a witness to the faith, a teacher gregation will then submit the con- of Luke and in St Paul’s Letters to the and mystagogue, a companion and peda- Corinthians and Galatians, albeit in a gogue, who teaches for the Church.” clusions of the Ordinary Session of seminal form. But “the history of evan- Catechists, he continues, “are called first gelization over the past two millennia,” to be expert in the pastoral service of the Cardinals and Bishops for the writes Pope Francis, “clearly shows the transmitting the faith,” from the first approval of the Supreme Pontiff. effectiveness of the mission of cate- proclamation of the kerygma to prepara- chists,” who have “devoted their lives tion for the sacraments of Christian initi- Finally, the Supreme Pontiff will to catechetical instruction so that the ation, and throughout the process of on- convene the Ordinary Consistory faith might be an effective support for going formation. the life of every human being,” — even All this is possible, he says, “only in which the canonization of the to the point of sacrificing their own through prayer, study, and direct partici- lives. pation in the life of the community,” so Blessed will be officially an- Since the Second Vatican Council, that catechists can grow in their identity nounced. there has been a growing awareness of and in “the integrity and responsibility” the fact that “the role of catechists is of that identity entails. the highest importance” (Ad gentes, 17) Receiving the lay ministry of catechist, Let us rejoice at the results for “the development of the Christian in fact, “will emphasize even more the community.” missionary commitment proper to every achieved so far but let us continue “In our own day too,” writes Pope baptized person,” writes Pope Francis, “a Francis, “many competent and dedicat- commitment that must, however, be car- to pray to the Lord so that the pro- ed catechists… carry out a mission in- ried out in a fully “secular” manner, cess will continue happily and we valuable for the transmission and avoiding any form of clericalization.” growth of the faith,” while a “long line can arrive at the canonization of of blesseds, saints and martyrs who Copyright © 2017-2021 Dicasterium were catechists has significantly ad- pro Communicatione . Courtesy of Vat- Blessed Titus Brandsma . vanced the Church’s mission.” This ican News “represents a rich resource not only for The Scapular

My life as a member of the Third Order Carmelite

From Page 9 The influence of being a Carmelite promotion or any favour, and God has been was actually made in charge of opening the When I was young, I used to follow the with me through the various ladders to be- church at 6.30 a.m. before others came for rules of the Third Order Carmelites reli- come a principal. mass. It was a privilege to be the first to say giously. Today, I cannot say that I have hello to Jesus in the tabernacle. won the race, but I thirst for mass and get Challenges brought by Covid 19 We would also meet later in the day for the very worried when I am not saying my With the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic in evening Divine Office. After night studies, I prayers well. March 2020, our community prayers would go to lock up the church and of In the family, I have tried to teach our chil- stopped. Going for mass and all kinds of course say goodnight to Jesus. This gave me dren the importance of prayers in their fellowships also stopped. This reality a good formation as a Christian and I went lives. They normally call me to pray for brought us down spiritually, but I want to through my high school life softly. them when they are doing exams at the thank our Director, Fr. Denis Omae for University, as they believe that God hears being very aggressive in preaching to us As a young person in the university, one has my prayers. They sometimes call me daily online and organizing virtual meet- to be rooted in prayers, so that God will help Sr.Anne. ings. you to overcome the many temptations to sin. It is at this time that you feel that you At my work place, it’s a challenge to make A number of us missed the annual retreat are a grown up person and need wisdom the right decision as a Christian towards because of the same uncertainty of the pan- from God to make many decisions in life. I some discipline issues. As a principal of a demic and the changed school calendar. was then longing for the annual retreat. school, I find myself sending a student I am looking forward to having a Carmelite The activities organized by Fr. Demarie in away from the school for the benefit of the community in our local church in Keru- Nairobi kept us busy. They also made me other students and the school at large, but goya. I am kindly asking for your prayers have a sense of belonging. When other girls later I feel like I did not act as a Carmelite. that through the intercession of our Lady of were going for outings, I would go for my Being a Carmelite has influenced me posi- Mt. Carmel, we shall realize this. Carmelite activities. tively in my profession. I have not allowed Roseanne Nyokabi Ndirangu is a myself to use any corrupt means to get a TOC from Kerugoya

CALENDAR FOR YEAR 2021

EVENT DATE VENUE First National Council Meeting National Council visit to Western Kenya Training of Formators March Postponed National Retreat 7th—11th April Postponed

Youth Camp 21st to 25th April Postponed National Council visit to Nyeri To be announced TOC Family Day/Harambee June To be communicated Carmelite Family Study Week/Day July To be announced Our Lady of Mt Carmel Feast Day 16th July In communities Youth Retreat/ seminar ( school leavers and August To be communicated Uni students) Family Day October OLMC Naru Moro

Youth Retreat December To be communicated National Retreat December To be communicated

NB: Most of the national activities have been postponed due to COVID 19 restrictions. Announcements will be made when the situation changes.