Loyola House Celebrates the Feast of St. Ignatius in Style
By Fr. Odomaro Mubangizi, SJ
By 4:30 PM on 31st July 2024, Loyola House dining and seating rooms had already been transformed into a chapel. Loyola International Choir was busy rehearsing the special songs chosen for the feast. Guests started arriving, mainly from the regular mass attendants at Loyola House, and a few new guests. Together about 40 guests graced the celebration. To make the celebration more solemn Scholastics Gerald Kway and Adolfo Mudekereza helped as altar servers, and even used incense. Fr. Binamungu Mukasa served as the choir conductor.
In his introductory and welcoming words, the main celebrant, Fr. Kizito Kiyimba, Provincial of AOR Province welcomed guests to the Mass and appreciated how the dining and seating rooms had been transformed into a chapel, in line with the spirit of synodality. During the sermon, Fr. Kizito explained how St. Ignatius experienced a radical conversion through being wounded at war; how he went to study with kids, and how he ventured into university studies, all for a higher noble ambition. Fr. Kizito connected the importance of the life of St. Ignatius to what Gen Z’s are about, and even proposed a spirituality of Gen Z. Fr. Kizito further elaborated how Gen Z are a great challenge to the older generations who seem comfortable with the status quo. He explained how Gen Z heroism, passion, and determination in addressing injustices, corruption, and bad governance, are a challenge to all of us. He linked the Gen Z concerns with what the Society of Jesus has identified as Universal Apostolic Preferences, which include accompanying the marginalized groups and journeying with the youth.
Fr. Kizito then explained a bit about Jeremiah’s prophetic calling, highlighting that God seduced Jeremiah but Jeremiah also let himself be seduced.
After the mass, guests were invited for refreshments followed by dinner. This year also happened to be the 30th anniversary of joining the Society of Jesus, for some community members: Odomaro Mubangizi, Peter Otieno, Endashaw Debrework, and Elias Mokua. They joined the Jesuit Noviciate on 30th July 1994. A cake provided by Ms. Beatrice Koroit was cut by the jubilerians.
Sr. Lucy, SMK of the Sisters of Mary of Kakamega gave a moving speech congratulating the Jesuits on their feast. She spiced her eloquent address with quotes from Shakespeare. She amused the guests when she told her story of wanting to join the Jesuits, only to be told she could not join them since she was a woman. Instead, she was advised to join Sisters of Mary of Kakamega. She appreciated the pastoral support her community gets from the Jesuits.
Given the great influence of Gen Z, one representative of Gen Z was allowed to say a word to the guests. The general feeling was that Gen Z is now a force to reckon with.
The joyful celebration was concluded with the song “Ni baraka kutoka kwa Mungu…” intoned by Fr. Binamungu, who also gave a final blessing to crown the great celebration of the feast of St. Ignatius.
