Arrupe Month Report
By Michael Sitati, SJ
The third-year students joyfully completed their Arrupe Month from July 14 to August 14, 2024, at the Little Sisters of St. Theresa. This special program, instituted by Fr. General Pedro Arrupe, is a cherished time for deep reflection and growth in our journey toward the priesthood.
We are deeply grateful to Father Honoré Onana, SJ and Fr. John Luke SJ, who guided us throughout the month and the year respectively, and to the many facilitators who generously shared their wisdom and accompanied us on this path. Among the key speakers, our Rector, Fr. Foro, emphasized the profound importance of personal conversion, deepening one’s relationship with God, and embracing the humility required of those in public ministry. He encouraged us to serve as religious and future priests with clarity and joy, even in the face of struggles and challenges.
Fr. Kizito, Provincial of AOR, inspired us with his call to rigorous study, reminding us that “there is no alternative to hard work.” He urged us to be men of prayer, to seek God sincerely, to love humanity authentically, to build strong networks, and to cultivate courage in all we do.
His Grace, Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of Nairobi, honored us with his presence, bringing warmth and encouragement through his gentle pastoral approach. He expressed deep appreciation for the impact of the Jesuit mission in his archdiocese and spoke at length about the Church’s vital role in fostering justice, reconciliation, and peace in Kenya.
Sister Mary Gitau, Provincial of the Loreto Sisters, led us through an enlightening session on human sexuality, while Father José Minaku shared his personal journey of service, vulnerability, and priesthood, highlighting the joy that comes from dedicating oneself to others.
A special highlight was the session with the lay couple, Mr. and Mrs. Nyamupachitu, who offered a memorable summary of their message using the acronym PRIEST:
P: Prayerful
R: Responsible
I: Incorruptible
E: Empathetic
S: Servient
T: Team player
We were also blessed by the contributions of Br. Mokua, Mr. André Atsu (Director of JRS East Africa), Fr. Samuel Okwuidegbe, SJ, Fr. Honoré Onana, SJ, Sr. Catherine Okari a Loreto Sister, Father Peter Kaigua, a diocesan priest working in St Paul Chapel (Nairobi). and Jesuits in their first five years of priesthood, who shared their insights and experiences.
To conclude this sacred time, we entered into an eight-day retreat at Mwangaza Spirituality Center, bringing our Arrupe Month to a reflective and prayerful close. Alongside the intellectual and spiritual enrichment, we were able to visit several sites, including Nairobi National Park, Nakuru National Park and the Bomas of Kenya among other places, deepening our appreciation of our environment and local culture.
As we look back on this transformative month, we thank God for the many blessings we received moments of learning, spiritual renewal, and the strengthening of our bond as a group. This time has deepened our understanding of the vocation to priesthood and renewed our commitment to this sacred calling.
