“I was born in 1974 in Thika, Kenya, in the parish of Mugoiri (Murang’a), one of the first parishes founded by the Consolata Missionaries, established by Father Tommaso Gays in 1904,” recounts Father Elias Mugo Ngaruro, IMC, in this video recorded in Rome in May 2025 during a continuing formation program, where he shared his personal story.
By Jaime C. Patias *
The son of Joseph Ngaruro and Veronica Nyokabi, Father Elias grew up with two brothers and a sister. His path of formation took him to several places: the diocesan minor seminary Saint Paul in Mathari, philosophy studies in Nairobi, and then the Novitiate in Sagana, where he professed his first religious vows in 1996. His novice master was Bishop Peter Kihara, now the bishop of Marsabit.
“In the Novitiate, I deepened my understanding of the Institute, of consecrated life, and of the Constitutions of the Consolata Missionaries,” he recalls.
Father Elias continued his theological studies at the Bravetta seminary in Rome, where he made his perpetual profession in 2000 and was ordained a deacon on March 23, 2002. He returned to Kenya for his priestly ordination on July 19, 2003, in the parish of Mugoiri, celebrated by Bishop Peter Kihara.
“At the Bravetta seminary, I had a wonderful experience of internationality. We were students from many continents – Latin America, Africa, and Europe – and this was fundamental to my priestly and missionary formation. After completing my basic theology, I specialized in biblical theology, the study of Sacred Scripture – a precious field of study that made me grow in love for the Word of God,” he says.
His first mission assignment was in the parish of Kipengere in Tanzania, where he worked with Baba Camillo (Father Camillo Calliari), followed by several months in the parish of Nyagora. He later spent roughly ten years as a formator and vocation animator in the seminaries of Mafinga and Morogoro. He also served in the Procura in Dar es Salaam, offering support to various mission communities.
His missionary journey eventually brought him back to Italy, the country where he had studied. Today, Father Elias serves at the parish and Missionary Center of Santa Maria a Mare. “I am happy because I now meet many missionaries whom I knew as students in Mafinga, Morogoro, and Rome – and today they are serving all over the world. Excellent missionaries who truly put into practice what they learned in the seminary,” he notes.
“The parish of Santa Maria a Mare is also a Sanctuary – a place of deep spirituality, of many confessions, and of daily Masses. One can feel the profound faith of the many people who come from near and far, knowing that the opportunity for confession is always available. I thank the Lord for allowing me to serve in such a beautiful place, and I hope to continue with courage,” he adds, offering a message for the Jubilee of Hope.
“As the Church celebrates this Holy Year, we are in Rome with the group marking our 25th anniversary of priestly or consecrated life. I am reminded of the grace of the Year of Grace, of God’s mercy. As I celebrate this Jubilee, I look back on my life and see so much grace received – I see how merciful the Lord has been with me. Reflecting on my journey, I also recognize the help given and received from the people in the missions where I served. Where I am now, the faithful come to receive the indulgence of the Jubilee of Hope; as the motto says, we are ‘pilgrims of hope.’ As a priest, I have received countless graces from God. I look to the future with great hope. The message I want to share with everyone is this: keep moving forward with hope. Whenever we feel weak, we can say with Saint Paul: ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’ (Phil 4:13). And as our Holy Founder says, ‘Forward in the Lord,’” concludes Father Elias Mugo.
Fr. Jaime C. Patias, IMC, Communications Office.
