Loyola Hosts Porticus High-powered Delegation
By Fr. Odomaro Mubangizi, SJ
It all started with a special announcement on 9th October, 2024, by Br. Elias Mokua, SJ, Executive Director of LCMC, that Loyola House would host special guests from Porticus on 10th October 2024. The announcement had some details to the effect that the event would be formal, and hence the dress code would be “very formal”. Those who know to read between the lines sensed that Loyalties were to be treated to a special event.
The announcement further informed the community members that the program would commence a few minutes before lunch with refreshments.
Come 10th October, also celebrated as Kenya’s “Utamaduni day”, others calling it “Mazingira day”, Fr. Binamungu started off the day with a morning mass. Prayers were offered for Kenya and South Sudan, that celebrates St. Comboni day as a national holiday. The Congregation was amused to learn that Comboni missionaries are considered a tribe in South Sudan, and enjoy all rights like other citizens.
By breakfast time, Loyola Kitchen was already looking busy, with Minister Gerald Kway making strategic moves, coordinating the kitchen staff, and moving menu items, and Francis Anyanzu, the Superior overseeing the complex logistics. Evidence that this was an ordinary event, was the presence of Rose from LCMC who had come to reinforce Loyola House Kitchen staff. Tables were already set by around 10:00AM, with names designated for each.
By around 11:30 AM a van bringing the Porticus delegation cruised in the Loyola House Compound. A delegation of 6 Porticus members were shown around Loyola Premises by Br. Mokua, explaining the various offices and facilities housed at Loyola House: Curia Offices, Jesuit Hakimani, LCMC, Formation Delegate’s Office, The Proposed Hekima University’s Proposed VC’s office, MTT, and the Loyola House community residence. The guests were amused and impressed by the complexity and efficient utilization of an urban space.
Some closed door meetings were held with the Porticus delegation, including one with the Provincial and another with LCMC top management. A few minutes after 1:00 PM, the delegation moved into the Jesuit community for the special lunch in the dining room. After a few words of welcome by Br. Mokua, the Superior Fr. Anyanzu also welcomed the guests and led the grace before the meal.
The sumptuous meal was like no other. Conversations were animated. The head of the Porticus delegating Ms Kerubo gave a vote of thanks, appreciating the warm hospitality, and wondered whether this was how Jesuits have their meals all the time, and promised to visit more often. She appreciated the enormous work done by LCMC in its various programs and promised continued support. Ms. Kerubo also appreciated the overview of the Province that Fr. Kizito Kiyimba, AOR Provincial had presented during their meeting.
Fr. Kizito Kiyimba gave closing remarks thanking Porticus for their support to Jesuit apostolates across Africa and in the AOR Province. He reiterated his gratitude that choosing to pay a visit to the Jesuit community cannot be taken for granted. He affirmed willingness to collaborate more with Porticus and looked forward for continued support from them.
The meal was concluded by Fr. Binamungu, with a famous Loyola prayer-hymn “Glory, glory and praise to you, forever Amen”, which all joined melodiously.
Among the most well-dressed for the occasion were Fr. Kyali, Fr. Atakelt, and Fr. Binamungu. Some of the guests were overheard commenting that “Jesuits are among the most well-dressed religious people we have met”.
Being a public holiday, members of the community, stayed around talking about the unprecedented visit by high-profile guests from Porticus. Some even suggested that this should be an annual event, to celebrate Utamaduni day and St. Daniel Comboni feast.
