Pomp, glamor, and great joy filled St. Joseph’s Theological Institute- Cedara on 14th March 2025, when the Institute held its 20th graduation ceremony. Several students majority of whom are members of different religious congregations, were awarded Degrees in Philosophy and Theology, and a few others were awarded Post-Graduate Diplomas in Theology.
By John Bosco Othieno *
The event had two parts, the first was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in thanksgiving for the academic accomplishment of the graduands. Fr. Joseph Phiri OMI, the President of the Institute presided over the celebration, while Fr. Lizwelinjani Mlotshwa OMI, the provincial Superior of Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Southern Africa, who doubles as the Institute’s Chairperson Board of Governors, was the preacher of the day. He gave a very heart-warming message of encouragement to the graduands, exhorting them that as they thank God for enabling them to accomplish their studies, they should continue with perseverance to ‘fulfil their new dreams; dreams that will bring transformation in their lives, in the church, and the society at large’.
The second part of the event was the graduation ceremony. It began with the installation of Bishop Neil Frank OMI, as the Fourth Grand Chancellor of the Institute. In the keynote address, Bishop Neil Frank emphasized the need to strengthen Catholic Higher Education in Southern Africa, he further highlighted that as an institute of Catholic Higher Education, ‘we have an important role to play, we need to read the signs of the time, dream big and courageously strategize to uplift the lives of the poor’. The event was then embroidered with the awarding of degrees to the graduands, speeches, and interludes of beautiful and melodious musical performances from the Institute choir and Marimba group.
Among those who graduated, were three Consolata missionary students: Vincent Odida, Stanley Ng’ang’a Kiare, and John Bosco Othieno, from Merivale Theological Seminary. The three brothers graduated with degrees in Theology. The brothers’ achievement came after three years of rigorous academic engagement. In the evening after the graduation ceremony, the brothers were joined for a thanksgiving celebration at the community house in Merrivale by some of their friends from Woodlands and St. Anthony’s parishes, where they usually help with apostolate on Sundays. On behalf of the group, Br. John Bosco thanked the Almighty God for graciously enabling them to succeed, the Consolata Missionaries through the Delegation of South Africa and Eswatini, and the Seminary Community for the provision of necessities they needed for academic endeavors. He then expressed their profound gratitude to all in attendance saying ‘The success we celebrate today was possible not only through the knowledge and skills we attained in our classes and libraries but also, in a special way through the transformative interactions we had with each one of you’.
In conclusion, he appreciated the seminary community led by the Rector Fr. Simon Mbala IMC and all the brothers in the community for offering them the fraternal support system they needed in their academic pursuits. The Rector of the house, Fr. Simon appreciated the three brothers for their commitment and encouraged them, since they are in their last year of formation in the house, to continue their religious missionary journey with love and dedication. Having completed their Degrees in Theology, which was more theoretical, the three brothers are now pursuing a one-year Post-Graduate course, which offers a more practical part of the theology of pastoral ministry. It is quite interesting that the three brothers have been journeying together through several formation houses since 2016 when they first joined the formation program of Consolata missionaries in Kenya.
May the fatherly inspiration of St. Joseph Allamano guide, and motherly consolation of Our Lady Consolata be with the brothers as they continue with their missionary formation journeys.
John Bosco Othieno, IMC, Merrivale Theological Seminary.
