The meaning of being a religious
Kenyan novices about vocation & apostolate
Three young Kenyan Brothers tell about their occupations in the First Year Noviciate. They follow a number of intensive intercongregational courses during three months in Nairobi. During the other months they receive their formation in Sigona and take part in small apostolate projects. As the stories show, it is important to experience the works of mercy from the inside and to share with other religious.
Brother Videlis:
“In the first year of the noviciate we take part in a small apostolate around the formation. We participate in the so called pastoral programme instructions (PPI) in which we share our Christian faith. The meetings take place in the Kanjeru Primary School, a Protestant school a few kilometres from our community in Nakuru. The brothers usually take care of meetings with Catholic people.
Great challenge
The apostolate at Kanjeru is a great challenge for me: how can I serve others and especially young people? I try to offer my service to all pupils without looking at their religion, race, culture or age. The word of Jesus: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40) is motivating me in my services. I believe that whatever I do to others is not only for them but to Christ himself.
Merciful brother
It is a call for me to carry out my apostolate with respect, love and dedication. I receive much support from the staff in this school; they are always helpful and support me in carrying out my duties as a merciful brother. I have discovered that when I involve myself in the work of mercy, I am required to be totally committed in carrying it out. It is easy to say but a great challenge to do it. I know: as a brother I am called to be a role model, in leading the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are invited as brothers to be totally available and serve all people in need. Our Constitutions say: being of service is our task in life.”
Brother Geoffrey:
“I am a first year novice and I feel it is our task and duty as brothers to share with one another about our various activities in our provinces, regions and communities. It is my pleasure to share with you about our intercongregational novices’ course. These are courses organized by different congregations and they offer us a programme about religious community life and spiritual growth. During the course period we meet different facilitators who present different topics to us. The courses are offered three times a year: in February, May and October. The October course lasted for a whole month. The topics in this month were: Living our sexuality as religious people; Liturgy and Eucharist; The Holy Trinity as a foundation of community life; The writings of Saint Paul.
Great challenges
During this course I deeply discovered what it means being a religious: living in union with God and others. We are invited to form an ideal community and to care for one another. Nobody cares only for himself or herself. It is a great challenge to develop our relationship with God and with the others.
Different charisms
The INC-course also offered an opportunity to share and learn from fellow novices about our different charisms and commitments, and to hear about the inspiration of the founders of different congregations. People may follow Jesus in different ways, but they all hear the same word of the Gospel: “Follow me” (Mt 9:9).
