In Kampala on 23rd June, Bishop Ssekamanya of Lugazi, who presided over a Mass in honour of St Josemaria, said that he remembers seeing St. Josemaria in Rome when he was still alive. Taking up the readings of the feast day on the first miraculous catch of fish, Bishop Ssekamanya encouraged the congregation to strive to be a boat that our Lord could use to reach out to everyone, as was the case in the life of St Josemaria and with the recently canonised Pope St John Paul II. On the universal call to sanctity, he encouraged all to take note that holiness for us is to make it to heaven. He also said he was proud to have been among those who were in Rome to witness St Josemaria’s Canonisation in 2002.
Bishop Maurice Muhatia celebrated Mass in Nakuru on the 28th of June at 10 am at Christ the King Cathedral. He expressed his joy at officiating the Mass, referring to St. Josemaria as one of the most important saints for our times. In his homily he said that the teaching of the founder of Opus Dei on the universal call to holiness is the key to transforming our society. He underscored the importance of lay men and women striving to be saints, no matter what their profession or social status, which would be the best way of serving the Church and society. The mass was aired live by Radio Waumini.
Bishop Wainaina of Murang’a made a call for unity and understanding in the country as he celebrated mass in honour of St. Josemaria in Holy Family Basilica (Nairobi) also on 28th June. The Mass was attended by thousands of faithful. He encouraged them to be positive agents of change, to build and not to destroy. Participants expressed joy and gratitude to Pope Francis for the upcoming Beatification on 27th September in Madrid (Spain) of the successor to St Josemaria, his long time assistant and first Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Alvaro del Portillo. Several hundred pilgrims are expected to travel from East Africa.
Other masses in Kenya in honour of St. Josemaria were celebrated in Kisumu, Kitui, Nyeri, Eldoret, Bungoma and Mombasa. In Uganda there were masses in Nyakibaale, Mbale, Rukungiri and in 6 parishes in Soroti diocese. There were also masses in Kigali on 15th June and in Dar es Salam.
The last Mass in honour of this saint was celebrated in Thika (St. Patrick’s church) by Bishop Muheria of Kitui on the 5th July.