The second week of the Sagana Renewal Course unfolded as a deep and reflective journey, inviting the young missionaries to rediscover the heart of their vocation and mission.
By Charles Orero*
The week began with a powerful presentation by Rev. Fr. Moses Kagunya on the renewal of priestly identity and mission. He opened with a heartfelt prayer, asking Jesus to renew once again the “yes” each priest pronounced on the day of ordination. His message was both humbling and profound: priests themselves are not exempt from the need for salvation, they are also recipients of the very grace they preach.
He emphasized that priesthood is not merely a role, but a path toward personal salvation, rooted in a deep configuration to Christ. The identity of a priest, he explained, is grounded in “being” with Christ before “doing” for others. This “being” is not temporary but lifelong; a permanent commitment that shapes the missionary into one with the people he serves. Echoing the vision of the XIII General Chapter, he reminded the confreres that only a “forever” choice allows true incarnation in mission.
The session invited participants to return to the roots of ordained ministry, centered on the Eucharist and the Word so as to become living images of Christ the Priest in the world.
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The reflection then shifted to history and identity with Fr. Joseph Mwaniki IMC, who guided the group through the priesthood as lived in the spirit of Murang’a. He revisited the historic Murang’a Conference, a foundational moment for the first Consolata Missionaries in Kenya.
This pioneering gathering served as a turning point, where early missionaries evaluated their progress, faced their challenges, and charted a clear path for future evangelization. Its conclusions shaped the missionary style and approach that continues to guide the Institute to this day.
Through this presentation, confreres gained a renewed appreciation of the origins and global expansion of the Consolata mission. They also came to understand more deeply the importance of building authentic relationships with local communities. Evangelization, they were reminded, is not simply proclaiming truths; it is a relational journey, where the love of God is made visible through trust, respect, and genuine human connection.
The week concluded with an enriching session on homiletic renewal by Fr. Fredrick J.B. Ndung’u. With pride in his identity as a son of the Consolata, he acknowledged the immense contribution of the missionaries to evangelization and human development, especially in Kenya.
He described the homily as “wrestling with the Word of God”, a dynamic process that blends both art and discipline. Preaching, he explained, is not about eloquence alone, but about allowing the Spirit to speak through human weakness. Drawing from the words of Saint Paul, he highlighted that true preaching flows not from human wisdom, but from the power of God.
This session equipped confreres with practical tools: how to organize their thoughts, interpret Scripture faithfully, and communicate in ways that touch both the mind and the heart. They were encouraged to avoid disorganized or repetitive messages and instead use storytelling and relatable examples to make the Gospel come alive.
In the end, the second week of the Sagana Renewal Course was a moment of grace; a call to return to the essence of priesthood, to reconnect with its roots, and to embrace once again the mission with renewed conviction and deeper authenticity.
* Father Charles Orero, IMC, a missionary working in Tanzania.
