NAIROBI-KENYA (AFRICA)
4-6-2011

Since the Society of St. Pius X arrived in Africa, many ladies showed interest in the religious life, although many could not realize their vocation. The main reason for this was the lack of an appropriate institute in Africa, able to form young women for the consecrated life. The missionary priests of the Society, however, following the steps of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, considered the great help that a female missionary congregation would provide to their works. Many were praying and waiting for the will of God.

The breath of the Holy Ghost

As we said, young women from various African English-speaking countries were waiting for years for Providence to give them the means of realizing their vocation. During the international pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2008, close to the grotto, a French candidate for a religious life in the African missions asked one of these priests working in Africa: “Father, what are you doing for the missionary religious life? I firmly believe I have such a vocation.” Our Lady provided a miracle.

Fr. Obih, a Nigerian priest, formerly an Augustinian, returned to Africa after two years spent in the United States in order to join the Society. Three Oblate Sisters of the SSPX were sent to help the Society in Kenya in September 2009. The former priory at Karen (in Nairobi, Kenya) was now empty, after they move to a house just near the church.

Everything was ready to begin. Providence had manifested itself through the clear signs of the Holy Ghost. All that remained was the permission of the General House. Thanks be to God, it was granted.

Five African ladies and one French lady were selected according to their maturity; the young French woman will complete her postulancy in Switzerland with the oblate sisters. Fr. Gregory Obih, helped by the two other missionary priests stationed in Kenya, Fr. Christophe Nouveau and Fr. Etienne Demornex, will assist the development of the nascent community. The oblate sisters in Kenya will henceforth dedicate themselves to the formation of the candidates, according to the specific rule of the planned congregation.

The house in Karen, located in the little Rome [the most Catholic section-Ed] of Nairobi, is in a quiet atmosphere endowed with a very pleasant climate; it will become Our Lady of the Angels House. In 2004, this foundation of the Society, thanks to Fr. Nouveau, was welcomed by the former Archbishop, Raphael S. Ndingi, who told the government that the Society was Catholic even though it was not under his jurisdiction. November 2, 2009 marked the first retreat of this group, in the company of all the Society’s oblate sisters in Africa.

Development

Amongst diverse crosses and blessings, the little troop has persevered and is now under the considerate care and authority of the General House. The need of priests in Nigeria called Fr. Obih away, who was replaced by Fr. Philippe Pazat. In the meantime, the French postulant joined the rest of the community and the team of the oblate sisters in charge of training was strengthened.

The Missionaries of Jesus and Mary are preparing for their future apostolic life as catechists, schoolteachers, governesses, secretaries, accountants, medical assistants, nurses, etc. The erection of the new congregation was made public on the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the religious life and the great master of silence. Their name is a good definition of their aim and origin, as they will be under the jurisdiction and the example of life of the Apostles of Jesus and Mary—the other name of the Society of St. Pius X.

“O God who makest the faithful to be one mind and will: grant to Thy people the grace to love what Thou commands and to desire what Thou dost promise, that amid the changes of the world, our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found.” The Collect of the Fourth Sunday after Easter gives at least the means to reach these wanted graces. The peculiar spirit of the Missionaries of Jesus and Mary is inspired by the simple example of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, as these constantly remind them where true joy is to be found. It is a doctrine of simplicity and spiritual childhood, under the patronage of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, for the sanctification of the members in their missionary works.

“Spread with the wind”

On March 19, 2011, the Feast of St. Joseph, Bishop Fellay made public, through the mouth of his First Assistant, Fr. Niklaus Pfluger, the erection of the new congregation with the taking of the habit of Sister Irene of Jesus. We believe that this new congregation will spread quickly. However, they need our help, our prayers, and our sacrifices.

An important number of candidates await the right time to enter as postulants. The founders place a special emphasis on deepening their vocation to be able to fortify and communicate the original spirit. The house and its small chapel already need some additions. They are very poor. The key word of their future is “trust”:

God loves nothing more than trust. It is the flower of faith, hope and charity, these three theological virtues, which consecrate the whole being to God more than any other, and are the foundation of our religion. Trust, the main virtue of the Apostles, is the proper virtue of brides (Bishop de Boismenu).

Article written by Fr. Marc Vernoy.

Fr. Vernoy is an SSPX priest who was born in 1964 and ordained to the priesthood in 1995. He has been a missionary in India, the Philippines and recently in Africa where he was District Superior. He was also formerly the prior of Fabregues (France), and is the founding prior of the new St. Thomas More Priory in Sanford, Florida.

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