There are two images that have always accompanied me in my priesthood. The first is the image of the shepherd, deeply linked to my origins from the Samburu nomadic shepherds (in northern Kenya).
By Jaime C. Patias *
The second is the image of the yoke that binds together two oxen plowing the fields in preparation for a new sowing season. They must work in harmony, the stronger ox leading and supporting the weaker. In this analogy, we are the weaker ox, relying on Christ for strength, guidance and encouragement as we move through the commitments of our life.”
These two images inspired the homily pronounced by the Superior General, Father James Bhola Lengarin, IMC, during the Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate his 25th anniversary of priestly ordination on Thursday 18 July 2024, in the chapel of the Generalate House in Rome.
In addition to the community of the Generalate House, those who participated in the celebration were a group of students and Fathers from the Theological Seminary of Bravetta, the community of Porta Pia, Nomentana, and some Sisters of the Congregation of Saint John the Baptist (Battistine).
At the beginning of the Holy Mass, the Superior of the community, Father José Martins Fernandes, invited the present to thank God for the gift of the priestly ministry of Father James Lengarin and to rejoice in gratitude for all the services he carried out in the Institute and in the Church during these 25 years.
He also invited those present to thank God for the birthday of the General Secretary, Father Pedro Louro (58 years old), as well as for the anniversary of the priestly ordination of Father Genaro Ardila (32nd anniversary), head of the Archives in Rome.
Fr. James Lengarin, born on 15 April 1971 in Maralal in northern Kenya, began his religious formation as a Consolata missionary in 1990 in Nairobi. After completing his studies in Kenya, England and Italy, he was ordained priest on 18 July 1999 in Wamba, Kenya.
His first years of ministry were carried out in Italy as a missionary animator in Galatina and Martinafranca, vice-formator and then rector of the seminary of Bravetta (Rome). Back in Kenya, he was Novice Master in Mathari, Director of the Language School in Nairobi, Rector of the Consolata Sanctuary and Administrator of the Kenya-Uganda Region.
In these last seven years Father James has been at the service of the General Council in Rome: six years as Vice General Superior and since 12 June 2023, Superior General of the Consolata Missionary Institute.
During the festive lunch, before cutting the jubilee cake, some representatives of the three communities present at the celebration congratulated Father James Lengarin, underlining important aspects of his life and mission.
25 years of Service to the God of Multiplication
At the beginning of the homily, Father James Lengarin conveyed the greetings of the missionaries working in Venezuela, a South American country that he recently visited with Father Michelangelo Piovano and Father Juan Pablo De Los Ríos, and also asked the community to pray for the Venezuelan people on the eve of the elections.
With a heart full of gratitude and joy for his priestly Jubilee, Father General underlined his “service to the God of Multiplication” sharing: “In all these years, I rejoiced in discovering myself being involved more and more in a fraternal and friendly priestly vocation, and the establishing of a profound relationship with the Christian communities”.
Today I am grateful and moved by how the Lord really is the God of multiplication and not of subtraction or addition: he is love and in love he multiplies. The ministry lived in a community shared with our missionary and religious brothers was truly a gift of multiplication from the good God,” testified Father James.
As the tenth successor of the Founder, the Blessed Joseph Allamano, and at the helm of the Institute, he said “announcing the Gospel to the ends of the earth has become a truly fascinating and surprising task”. In the accompanying service of the various missions in the world, “I can say that, through the meetings I had with consecrated and lay missionaries, I have once more received a multiplication of the gift of grace that comes from the Holy Spirit”.
“The Lord called me to experience a new reality together with the brothers of the General Council, the accompaniment service of the Institute has become the most important feature of life. With them, through prayer, discussion and reflection, we are asking ourselves how at present the Institute, following the example of Jesus, can better announce the love of God by responding to the cries of men and women of this world.
With words of thanks and concluding his homily, Father James Lengarin declared: “As a community, driven by the Spirit to take on new perspectives, we question ourselves and avail ourselves to creatively announce the gospel of Christ, hope for every man and woman”.
“So I invite you to walk together in the spirit of synodality and while you offer the bread and the wine to God, offer your aspirations, your pains, your standing firm in generosity, offer everything with so much love. Educating ourselves to give, overcomes our claims and our anguish. Selfishness does not allow us to see the value of giving and offering. Like Mary, let us also offer ourselves with faith and generosity to the Lord by participating in this Eucharist, and I pray that each of you will have the joy of feeling guided by the flame of His love enkindled in your heart.”
“Thank you to each and every one of you for the example and testimony you have given me and for the affection with which you supported me. Thanks to all my family and friends who with discretion and faithfully have been close to me. I feel honored, loved and supported to move forward by multiplying the good done well without clamor”, concluded Father General.
Below is the full text of the homily given by Father General (Italian)
* Fr. Jaime C. Patias, General Secretariat for Communication IMC.
