On 16th February 2025, the Institute will start one year journey towards the celebration of the centenary of the death of our founder. Maybe it’s better to say we will begin a journey to celebrate 100 years since the birth of our founder in heaven.
By Jonah Makau *
You could be asking the reason why this is important, especially given that we have recently celebrated his canonization, which should be the highest level of honour we would have wished to see him. Well, as we will be celebrating 100 years since the days of our founder, Fr. Joseph Allamano, we will also be celebrating 125 years of the existence of the Consolata missionaries. The two cannot be separated, because the existence today of the two missionary congregations founded by Fr. Allamano, says something about him. The life changing global presence of the Consolata Fathers and brothers on one side, and the Consolata Sisters on the other, 100 years after the death of Fr. Allamano, proclaims the kind of person he was even when he lived.
First, the celebration of the centenary of the death of the founder is an opportunity to reflect about his life. Human beings come and go, but the fact that a person is remembered 100 years after his death points to his contribution in the world, but especially in the lives of the people. Those who don’t do much during their lives are forgotten as soon as their graves are covered. The journey into the celebration of this centenary reminds us that our founder was therefore a holy man, while he lived, that is why his life, his teachings, and his work have been at the centre of many efforts that have transformed people lives. That’s why his deeds have succeeded him. Now we can confidently say that we have discovered the reason through which he succeeded: his holiness. That’s the only way through which his product project, which did not convince many at the beginning, ended up becoming the existence of two missionary institutes working in various countries in the world today.
Second, the celebration of the centenary is a chance to reflect on the 125 years of the existence of the Institute. It’s an opportunity to relook the journey done, the challenge faced and the milestones achieved. By publicly celebrating the milestones achieved, the institute will not only bolster its reputation as a tool of God in evangelizing the world, but also it will inspire current and future members. A reflection of all these things both honours the legacy of the past, and also instils a sense of pride on those who are still alive. In addition, a reflection of the journey that has been done so far reminds us of the foundations upon which the institute was built, reinforcing the values and traditions that persist up to today.
Third, celebrations of the centenary promote community spirit. In truth, the essence of any celebratory event lies in its ability to bring people together. Centenary celebrations cultivate community spirit by uniting various stakeholders. The Consolata Missionaries family is a vast network of consoling entities, who include the missionaries, the parents and relatives of the missionaries, the groups that are associated with the Consolata family, the Consolata Lay missionaries, the people of God that we serve, the alumni of our academic institutions, employees in our various communities, the benefactors, the people of good will who and other beneficiaries of health institutions and other charitable projects. By celebrating the shared legacy, centenary events will help us combat feelings of isolation or fragmentation within communities, create a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. By coming together to celebrate, the togetherness will help us in furthering the institute’s mission of Consolation, thus enhancing its impact in the future.
Fourth, the celebrations of the centenary are an effort to look towards the future. Having noted that the centenary celebrations honour the past, it is important to underline that they also pave the way for future aspirations. Generally, institutions often utilize their milestones to launch new initiatives, strategic plans, or partnerships that will shape the next century. This forward-looking perspective is crucial for ensuring sustainability and continued relevance in a dynamic world. The reduction in vocations in Europe and America, the change of mentality towards the church in countries that were once known to be Christian, the weakening of the missionary commitment among many missionaries, the growth of the importance of social media, the disintegration of the family institution, etc, are among many realities that remind us of the necessary effort if we have to be effective tools of God in future.
As we forge ahead with the preparations for the centenary, it is important to ask ourselves what partnerships do we need to make and with who. In a world that is largely demonstrating the need of people working together as groups and communities, the Institute will probably have to ask itself how could the Lay Consolata Missionaries, the Consolata alumni, the Consolata Friends, etc, could be involved much better in the evangelization effort and especially in the consolation mission of the Consolata Missionaries.
In conclusion, it is appropriate to say that although the centenary celebration celebrates the milestone achieved, the centenary celebrations are themselves significant milestones that embody the essence of reflection, recognition, and renewal. They honour the journey of the past while fostering community spirit and celebrating achievements, all of which contribute to a sense of pride and belonging. Furthermore, such events inspire future aspirations, ensuring that the legacy built over a century continues to thrive.
As institutions and communities gather to celebrate their centenary, they embrace a rich tapestry of history, acknowledge the contributions of their members, and look forward to new horizons. This dual focus on the past and the future defines the spirit of centenary celebrations, making them a powerful catalyst for unity and progress. May the launching of the centenary celebrations motivate us in our effort to be better tools of consolation in the world in the next century.
* Father Jonah M. Makau, IMC, General Postulator and Director of the History Office.
