The Superior General of the Consolata Missionaries, Rev. Fr. James Bhola Lengarin, celebrated his 25th anniversary of priesthood with a vibrant and joyous Thanksgiving Mass at Wamba Catholic Mission, his home parish in the Diocese of Maralal, Kenya. The event, held on the 11th of August 2024, marked a significant milestone in the life of Father Lengarin, who has served the Church with unwavering dedication across various countries, including Kenya and Italy.
By Br. Adolphe Mulengezi *
Father James was born on 15th April 1971 in Maralal, the administrative headquarters of Samburu County, Kenya. His journey toward priesthood began in 1990 when he joined the Consolata Missionaries, a congregation known for its commitment to evangelization and missionary work. After years of rigorous spiritual and theological formation, he took his first religious vows in 1994. He was ordained as a priest on 18th July 1999, right at Wamba Catholic Mission, the very place where he would later celebrate his silver jubilee.
The celebration was a colorful and deeply moving event, attended by many Consolata Missionaries, diocesan priests, and sisters from various congregations. Christians from the Maralal Diocese, especially those from Wamba Catholic Mission, joined with those from neighboring dioceses to express their gratitude to God alongside Father James for his steadfast service. The atmosphere was filled with joy, as traditional dances and songs of praise echoed through the mission grounds.
In his homily, he reflected on the essence of his vocation, emphasizing the divine nature of his calling. “Many of us here are Christians; we accepted the word of God through the baptism we received, and that is why we have come here to thank God. It is God who called, and the call belongs to Him, not to a human being,” he said. “That’s why He calls and sends us wherever He wants. He calls us to be instruments of love and consolation to our brothers and sisters.”
He highlighted the diverse ways in which people serve God, whether as catechists, sisters, priests, or brothers, all united in the mission to do God’s will. He reminded the congregation of the importance of responding to God’s call with a willing heart, saying, “When we receive God’s call, we always answer, ‘Here I am, Lord, to do your will.’ This response should always accompany us, guiding us to fulfill the will of the One who has called us.”
Concluding his homily, the Superior General reaffirmed his commitment to his mission, declaring, “I am an ambassador of Christ, and that’s why I should be ready to go and preach the good news to the whole world by consoling our brothers and sisters to whom I am sent.”
The celebration of Father James Bhola Lengarin’s 25 years of priesthood was not only a personal milestone but also a communal expression of faith and gratitude, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the Christian community in the Maralal Diocese. The event was a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of a life dedicated to God’s service and the joy that comes from answering His call.
* Brother Adolphe Mulengezi, IMC, is Congolese student in Communication in Rome, Italy.
