16/5/2025 Final Vows of Kyalo Michael Kituu
By Fr. Tadele Wolde, SJ
The event took place in the eparchy of Bahri Dar-Dessie which is known by its biggest geographic coverage (221,776km) in Ethiopia, which is also known by its list Catholic population having a Bishop without Cathedral. It was in the same eparchy that ruins of the earliest Jesuit buildings and history keep alive both nostalgic and the living memory. In the city though the building of the modern Churches were started by the early Jesuits, yet there is no Catholic Cathedral as well as publicly recognized sizable chapel within the Bahri Dar city today. Does this mean the mission of the Church (Jesuits) died in this area? The answer is no. As an African proverb which says “though the truth gets miniscule, it will never be cutoff”, affirms undying Catholic/Jesuit mission. It seems that the Catholics/Jesuits are convinced and determined that the good news, humanism and Catholic identities can be preached not only in the Churches but also in the schools, not only on the alters and ambo but also on the black boards, in labs and via computers. In the eparchy where there is less Catholics and no sizable parish churches, the Bishop is busy build the schools to preach the gospel in different means.
The Jesuits joined the Bishop, in indirect evangelization through education. The Jesuits in Abay Mado Catholic school are busy evangelizing the children some of whose parents or relatives are busy in the bushes, in the caves and on hills with the ideology of ‘will to power’ through the power of guns. It is in this context that Fr. Kyalo SJ has made the final commitment to the Society of Jesus. Though he is from the country with high Catholic population, numerous cathedrals, thousands of parishes and outstations, his final vows took place in a small community chapel located within the school premise. The number of the attendants of his vow were 12. The number of the attendants is biblical, OT 12 tribes of Israel; NT the number of 12 apostles. Reflecting theologically on the numbers of attendants, one can make hope filled imaginary-prophecy of the expansion of the mission and the churches within the eparchy and beyond.
Fr Provincial’s words during his homily summarize the nature of the mission, the environment of the mission and the courage of Fr. Kyal undertaking the mission as follows. “You are taking final vows, today, on the Feast of St. Andrew Bobola, SJ. Far away from home and in a very different cultural context, in less than peaceful times. You are making your final commitment in a land and among a people you have served on several occasions and in different capacities. Your current office as the Chancellor of the Eparchy is testimony to your insertion, your love and dedication, your commitment, but also the acceptance with which you have been received. You have been courageous, a courage born of love and not omnipotence, in learning the language from the small people rather than in big classrooms. You have been generous in accepting a high and challenging office to be a servant of the Gospel in the strategic office of facilitating that same gospel in efficiency and accountability.”
The final vows of Fr. Kyalo SJ, is historical for the Jesuits and history making landmark. This final vow is not the final one historically, it is the first-final vows in history making; not as simple perpetual vows, but the first final vows in history perpetuating. It is the sign of undying mission of the Jesuits that has begun centuries ago; furthermore, it is the sign of the continuity of the Jesuit mission. It is in this spirit that Fr. Provincial’s homily delivered to the attendants and to our companion Fr. Kyalo. The title of his homily was “The Mission Continues.” The Provincial continued his homily by thanking Fr. Kyalo for persevering this far in his vocation, for his audacity to follow the footsteps of the frontiers in mission enduring the terrifying daily experience of gun shots, and responding yes, for the Society’s call for the final incorporation.
In confidence and hope, Fr. Provincial affirmed the continuity of the mission of the Church and the Society being “realised in the holy land of Ethiopia, specifically in the historical place of Bahir Dar – a place so special to the Society of Jesus.” Fr. Provincial added the words of encouragement to Fr. Kyalo to continue persevering in the mission though the nature and environment of the mission seems to be a bit challenging and demanding. Relating the challenging nature of the mission that Fr. Kyalo has been carrying on with the feast of the day (St. Andrew Bobola, SJ) in which Fr. Kyalo’s final vows befalling, Fr. Provincial stated that “today’s feast and Kyalo’s final vows are not coincidental. The Jesuit Feast-day on which you have chosen to make this final commitment is of a companion who is famous as a ‘hunter of souls’. On May 16, 1657, Fr. Andrew Bobola gave his life in a conflict between Catholics and Orthodox, who were associated to Cossacks.” Both the readings and the life and witness of St. Andrew Bobola present us with words and examples that will challenge and encourage us, and mark the special day for Fr. Kyalo, for the rest of his life and mission.
In contextualized tone, the Provincial previewed, “We are here to hunt souls and to commend them in definitive ways to the Lord Jesus. As a Jesuit, you follow in the footsteps of many before you in the holy land of Ethiopia, some of whom succeeded in great ways, and some of whom failed spectacularly. But the symbolism of your choice and action and the choice and action of the Society of Jesus is that the Mission Continues. I pray you and I pray for you to go courageously and to go lovingly. And may the Good Lord see to your success and joy in your missions.”
Relating to the message of Psalm of the day which says “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.” the Provincial expressed his fatherly representation role as he said “these words are being proclaimed over us and about us. And in the final vows of our companion and brother, Fr. Kyalo, He is being made a Son of Ignatius and of Jesus in a definitive way, and we, together with him.” Adding the message of the gospel which emphasizes Jesus’ promise of a house in heaven with many dwelling places – many homes to those who endured to the end in the mission at the service of the souls, the Provincial wished to Fr. Kyalo the grace of a genuine sonship where he finds a home in that same House of Our Father. With these encouraging words the Provincial welcomed Fr. Kyalo to final incorporation as a son in this family called the Society of Jesus, with all the rights, privileges, and the crosses that this home bears. Requesting continues prayers for Fr. Kyalo from the attendants of the vows and from the companions, the Provincial further said “Fr. Kyalo is adopting the long and winding, but also great and joyful history of many Jesuit companions who have gone before us. In this event, Jesus is fulfilling His part of the promise.”
