The group of Consolata missionaries who participated in the ongoing formation course in Sagana, on 25 September 2025, had a pilgrimage to Tuthu, the place where the mission ad gentes of the Institute started in 1902.
By Jean Tuluba *
It was a moment of discovery for some of us, moment of encounter with our history, encounter with the ad gentes methodology inspiration, encounter with our fellow first brothers who started the first mission in Kikuyu land.
We walked in their footsteps. But, before reaching Tuthu Mission, accompanied by Brother Daniel Ndihu we passed through Murang’a Town where we had the opportunity of visiting the diocesan Cathedral, the place of the so known Murang’a Conference that laid down the basic guidelines of the missionary methodology of the Institute.
Fr. Jean Tuluba, missionary in Madagascar participated in the course:
We were well welcomed by the confrere Fr. Andrew Ndirangu in the community of Tuthu and from there we celebrated our holy mass at 12:00 at the Memorial Chapel thanking God for the gift of our missionary Institute which the first mission in Kikuyu land was led by Fathers Tommaso Gay, Filippo Perlo and brothers Celeste Lusso and Luigi Falda, and after mass we went, guided by Brother Ndihu, to visit the tumb and hear the story of the Paramount Chief Joseph Karuri Wa Gakure and knew about his great contribution for the installation of the Consolata missionaries and their mission in his village.
Fr. John Baptist Omindi, missionary in Ivory Coast participated in the course:
The same chief, after staying with these early Consolata Missionaries of Tuthu, despite of being a polygamous man, he was baptized and chose one of his innumerous wives, called Consolata Wanjiru Karuri with whom he did religious marriage blessed by Consolata Missionaries. It was a very rich experience for us to touch down the holy land of Tuthu and reconnect with our incredible history. After lunch, we went back to Sagana to continue with our program.
Retreat of renewal journey in Sagana
The fourth week, 29 September to 03 October, was totally consecrated to the concluding retreat of renewal journey in Sagana. Under the theme “Lord, teach us to pray! An experiential process of prayer and contemplation”, our retreat was preached by Father Selvam Sahay, Salesian of Don Bosco Priest. Well rooted in preaching retreats, Fr Selvam helped us to pray and renew our prayer skills with his so deep methodology. We had five sessions each day, starting by the morning prayer up to the Eucharistic Adoration in the evening.
Fr. Mathias Paschal Chipoli, missionary in Tanzania participated in the course:
Various topics were touched according to the main one, for example: Jesus Prayer, Prayer to Contemplation, Structure of the Mass based on Lk 24, 13-36, Contemplative journaling, Lectio Divina, A spirit of prayer – contemplation in action, Mass as a Sacrificial Meal, Spiritual accompaniment, Ignatius Contemplation, spirituality of priests, Sacrament of reconciliation, Breath Prayer, fruit of contemplation: desires and the Self, Mass as a spiritual Journey, Discernment, Intercession, the purpose of life, Gratitute, Time and Energy management.
Fr. Raphael Ndirangu Njoroge, missionary in Ivory Coast participated in the course:
It was a deep moment of immersion of ourselves with God that helped us renewing our own intimacy with God strengthening at the same time our identity our identity as consecrated persons and priests. The retreat ended with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Selvam himself on Friday evening the 3rd October 2025.
Fr. Erasto Mgalama, IMC, presided over the general concluding mass of the renewal course of the year 2025 in Sagana. In the morning, we had the last meeting of evaluation when the participant members expressed, they gratitude for this good initiative of organizing such moments of formation for missionaries.
Eight young Consolata missionaries, all priests from 8 to 12 years of ordination, participated to this course and all the themes chosen were good and beneficial for our growth as human beings, as religious priests and missionaries.
We thank our Institute, through the Continental Council, for all the graces received during this valuable time of formation. We also called all our confreres who didn’t attend the course to organize themselves to participating the next planned renewal courses. We have profited a lot and feel renewed going back to our missions with new and enough energy for continuing our missionary activities. May God bless our Institute and our missions!
* Father Jean Tuluba, IMC, missionary in Madagascar.
