The 10th of April 2021, our Youths Group leaded by father James and father Louis went to fix a cross on the top of the volcan Long'onot. Stat Crux dum volvitur orbis !
Saint Ignatius retreats in Karen
About 40 people could attend our two retreats preached in Karen in December 2020!
Our third Kenyan Priest!
God has blessed us this year with the ordination of our third kenyan priest, Father Joseph Kariuki Manyeki, who's has been ordained a priest in South Africa the 5th December 2020 by Bishop of Galarreta. He has been appointed in Nigeria.
A young Priest for Kenya!
Father Louis Gravrand, a French Priest ordained this 29th June 2020 has been appointed to our Mission in Kenya. He has arrived for the feast of Assumption!
Blessed be God!
Karibu Kenya!
Joy of the new Baptised!
On 24th December 2018, six catechumens have received the grace of Holy Baptism: 3 children and 3 adults.
What a joy for these souls to wear the new vestments of Christ's grace on this Christmas Eve!
Look at this joy on their faces, after the ceremony!
New Kenyan Priest!
On Thursday 13th December 2018, at Holy Cross Seminary in Goulburn, Australia, Rev. Fr. John GITONGA MWANGI was ordained Priest for eternity by His Excellency Bishop Bernard FELLAY.
He is the second Kenyan priest of the Society of Saint Pius X, after Rev. Fr. James KIMANI NGARURO who was ordained in Nairobi five years ago.
On the same day, another Kenyan seminarian, Mr. Joseph MANYEKI KARIUKI, received the minor orders of exorcist and acolyte. God willing, he will become priest in two years time. Another seminarian, Rev. Mr. Martin ANOZIE, from Nigeria, was ordained a deacon.
Three ordinations, three Africans: it is the first time that such a ceremony takes place in the history of the Society of Saint Pius X. What a joy and what an honour for our African missions to see the achievement of priestly vocations!
On this occasion, the District Superior of Africa, Rev. Fr. Henry WUILLOUD, and the Prior of Kenya, Rev. Fr. Nicolas BELY, travelled all the way long to Australia in order to attend the ordination ceremony, as well as the first solemn Mass that Rev. Fr. John MWANGI celebrated on the following day.
Visit Holy Cross Academy: Give a chance!
Some parents make hudge sacrifices for their children to come to Holy Cross Academy.
The school fees are quite low compared to the quality of the school with its new building, but nevertheless it demands some efforts from the parents.
A young mother has brought her daughter to the school. A fatherless daughter, which is unfortunately common in this slum. Ladies become pregnant while they're still very young, and the father varnishes to avoid the "burden".This lady was earning a too small salary for paying her house rent, food, water (bought from a tank in the street), electricity and school fees.
In order to help her, the Missionary Sisters have invited her to clean the chapel every week, so that the money she earns can pay the school fees for her daughter. At any price, she wants her daughter to remain at Holy Cross Academy and to learn the good behaviour of the Catholic life!
Visit Holy Cross Academy: Encourage!
Some pupils have come from far. Five minutes walking from the priory, there is a terrible slum, where alcohol is consumed at any time of day and night, and where drunkards are lying here and there. What a sad ambiance for the poor kids who grow up in this place. Some of them have found for a long time the way to the Priory and would never miss a Sunday Mass.
Last year, while visiting this area, the Missionary Sisters have met a two-year old child who was left outside the whole day with his six-year old brother. Their mother had abandoned them for a long time, and their father is working all the day long in order to find the minimum subsistance for his kids, and maybe a little bit of alcohol for himself...
Thanks be to God: this year, these two small boys have joined the benches of our school, with the help of some generous visitors who have been touched by their story...
We were in need of an assistant cook: why not ask their poor father?
Now, the family has revived. The father has become eager. These two children, who were spending most of their time amid the rubishes of a chanty town, can now make impeccable genuflections when entering the chapel! And every morning, the father proudly holds the hands of his two boys when they come together to Holy Cross Academy!
Deo gratias!
Visit Holy Cross Academy: Teaching!
Holy Cross Academy opened six years ago with 20 pupils only: today, they are around 200!
The Missionary Sisters are working every day at the school, taking care of the pupils during recreation times, and teaching them catechism, plastic art and French classes.
They also hold a club for young baptised girls who wish to deepen their Christian life by discovering the lives of the Saints.
Another club is organised for those who like singing, so that they can practice some hymns for Holy Mass. Another club is teaching general culture.
Father Peter teaches Latin. Brother Rémy conducts rehearsals for altar boys.
This way, the children have everything at their disposal to become true Catholics. And it works!
Bathed in this ambiance at the rhythm of the liturgical year, they make hudge progress in their Christian life and transform themselves little by little.
Aren't we heirs of an eternal Kingdom? To be aware of our Heavenly Father's love helps us to have a higher outlook on the moral misery of the environment.
The pupils of Holy Cross receive some tea & snacks in the morning and a hot lunch at midday.
During lunches, the pupils are silently listening to some classical music or gregorian chant.
It is well known that Africans are passionate for dancing. When the lunch music is a little bit too agitated, then folks and knives catch the beat, and also the legs, and eventually the whole body!
Visit Holy Cross Academy: Prayer!
At the end of every school day , all students gather together in the chapel to pray the Holy Rosary. It's now a good habit well established.
From time to time, parents come to tell us that their children have learnt how to pray. They even reveal that, if they have the misfortune to forget the evenin prayers, their children will loudly remind them that they cannot go to bed without saying good evening to the Good Lord first!
The same applies before travelling or before meals: wa can't start without a prayer!
It happened one day that a pupil couldn't be present in the chapel at Rosary time. When his mother came in the afternoon, he insisted that he cannot leave the school without having said his Rosary. His poort mother had to wait for him to say his Rosary in the chapel all by himself!
International pilgrimage to Fatima
They have joined the African group organised by Fr. Antony ESPOSITO, with nationals from South Africa (16), Zimbabwe (9), Reunion Island (2) and Uganda (1), for a two week trip to various sanctuaries in France and Spain before reaching Fatima.
In Fatima, this group of 38 people have found:
- the Africa District Superior, Fr. Henry WUILLOUD,
- Brother Rémy, who came on his own with his family,
- the Kenyan seminarians John MWANGI and Joseph MANYEKI, who are currently studying at Holy Cross Seminary in Goulburn, Australia,
- 4 Missionary Sisters of Jesus and Mary, who travelled on their own from Nairobi,
- Sister Martha, a Kenyan Oblate posted in Switzerland
- a larger group of about 65 pilgrims who came from Gabon,
Little collection of anecdotes: Children teach their parents lessons often!
It is amusing to see that a well-learned lesson in catechism sometimes benefits parents as well as children. It is parents themselves, who tell us how their children often remind them of their religious duties. A few short anecdotes:
One mother tells us that, since her child has became a student at Holy Cross, they do family prayers every single night. It is the child who demands that they be done!
Another child, jumping into a taxi with his mother, makes the sign of the cross and begins a prayer: "Mum, we must never get in a car without saying a prayer for the trip, accidents can happen so quickly!"
Another mother discovered the existence of Purgatory. It was her daughter who explained it to her. Since then, the mother often examines her conscience and makes very exemplary efforts to live a Christian life! And as for her daughter, she will one day know how to face the Protestants.Another, more theological student, explained to her mother that there are two hells: "Yes, mum, when one says that Jesus descended into hell, he did not go to see the devil!"
As for modesty, we do not make it a habit of insisting strict guideline on dress codes; but rather we follow the well-known missionary principle of initially welcoming people into the Church as they are in order to attract them to the Faith. But with children, Faith is put into practice almost automatically. A Mum was getting ready to go out shopping in fairly flimsy clothes and her child stated: "But, Mum, you can't go out in pajamas, it's offensive to the Good Lord!"
Another day, a child who had not attended the daily rosary with his classmates - no doubt due to unfinished class work or a visit to the sick bay, refused to leave the school without praying his rosary. When his mother came to look for him at home time, he declared: "Wait, Mum, I cannot leave school without saying my rosary!" He immediately went to the chapel, and his mother had to wait for her little boy to say his rosary all on his own. Do you think she got impatient? No not at all! The following day she congratulated the Sisters: "Since our children started in your school, they know how to pray!"
The new District Superior visiting the Masai
He came to visit the Kenyan priory in March. Apart from his joy in discovering our great mission and school, he had a chance to discover the Masai people in the countryside surrounding Nairobi. After two hours driving through roads and paths, and another hour walking amongst the hills; we arrived in a Masai village, where the Chief together with his wives and children, but also with his donkeys, sheep and many cows; welcomed us with his favourite meal, a freshly braised lamb!
It is so rare for a priest to visit the Masai people as they are so attached to their culture and so far from the things of the Christian Faith. Nevertheless, they will surely keep good memories of our visit, and thanks to Fr. Wuilloud because the Maasai children have learned to "yodelling" in the green pasturage of the Kenyan hills!
Building goes ahead!
While the pupils have taken possession of the six classrooms in the northern wing of the new building, the work still goes ahead on the site. Yes, the construction is not yet finished!
On the first floor, we are finishing a 7th classroom, as well as an office and a staffroom. On the second floor, we must complete an apartment for our three dear Sisters, who are currently still camping in a provisional classroom on the ground floor. Finally, we must finish the outside plastering and painting of the walls.
Our supervisor Joseph is still around, who is working hard every day; though with a smaller team of workers!
The project still goes ahead, and every day we are presented with challenges and rewards!
Prizing day
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| School photograph |
In February, we were honoured to receive a visit from Rev. Fr. Niklaus PFLUGER, First Assistant General of the Society of St Pius X. It was a great opportunity to take a beautiful photograph in front of the new building! Here we are, the beautiful family of Holy Cross Academy: 12 teachers and 130 pupils, all under the paternal supervision of the Priests, Brother and Sisters!
Some days later, before the mid-term holiday, the Head Mistress proclaimed the pupils' results and rewarded the best students with some prizes!
Some days later, before the mid-term holiday, the Head Mistress proclaimed the pupils' results and rewarded the best students with some prizes!
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| The Head Mistress amongst her pupils |
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| Head Mistress Pamela is rewarding a good student |
The Excitement of New Learning Facilities
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| Deputy Head Teacher Josaphat teaching class 4 |
Every morning, the school opens at 7 o'clock, the teachers are already here to help the pupils in revising their lessons, while some staff and pupils attend the morning low Mass. At 8 o'clock, it’s time for assembly and morning prayers; thereafter, the teaching begins. A Kenyan tea is served at around 10 am; afterwards, lectures commence till noon. During lunch, the Sisters serve the children and teach them how to behave while eating. The pupils keep quiet, while they listen to some beautiful music during the meal. After lunch, the Sisters play with the children during the long afternoon break. The lectures continue from 2 to 4 pm. Finally, the oldest pupils remain at school until 5:30 pm; studying their lessons under the supervision of their teachers.
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| Teacher Millicent teaching class 1 |
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| The Class 6 pupils are showing the good example |
New school year: Sursum corda!
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| Head Mistress Pamela |
On this 4th January 2017, a new school year started in Kenya, and Holy Cross Academy opened its 6th primary class. God willing, we shall open class 7 in 2018 and class 8 in 2019. For now, the six classes are taking place inside the six classrooms of the new building.
This new year starts with a change in the school management. Since its foundation in 2013, with its 20 pupils; the Holy Cross Academy never ceased to grow, finishing up 2016 with 90 pupils. Today, we count about 130 pupils. The small school has become much larger!
Teacher Pamela, the new Head Mistress, is a lady of a great experience. During the past 16 years, she has been the deputy head teacher of Donholm Catholic School, one of the most reputed schools in Kenya.
She is assisted by her Deputy, Teacher Josaphat and seven other teachers. Three teachers take care of the kindergarten, together with some trainees who are pursuing their studies part time. The six other teachers are devoting the best of their capacities to teach the primary classes.
The beige and brown uniform you have seen until now on the pictures, is now replaced by a yellow shirt, red shorts or skirt, and a grey fleece jacket embroidered with the school coat of arms.
New year, new pupils, new teachers, new management, new uniform, new building! Holy Cross Academy is becoming a high standard school!
To all of you, we wish you a happy and fruitful year 2017!
This new year starts with a change in the school management. Since its foundation in 2013, with its 20 pupils; the Holy Cross Academy never ceased to grow, finishing up 2016 with 90 pupils. Today, we count about 130 pupils. The small school has become much larger!
Teacher Pamela, the new Head Mistress, is a lady of a great experience. During the past 16 years, she has been the deputy head teacher of Donholm Catholic School, one of the most reputed schools in Kenya.
She is assisted by her Deputy, Teacher Josaphat and seven other teachers. Three teachers take care of the kindergarten, together with some trainees who are pursuing their studies part time. The six other teachers are devoting the best of their capacities to teach the primary classes.
The beige and brown uniform you have seen until now on the pictures, is now replaced by a yellow shirt, red shorts or skirt, and a grey fleece jacket embroidered with the school coat of arms.
New year, new pupils, new teachers, new management, new uniform, new building! Holy Cross Academy is becoming a high standard school!
To all of you, we wish you a happy and fruitful year 2017!
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| Teachers' staff of Holy Cross Academy |
Merry Christmas!
The Fathers, Brother and Sisters
of the Society of St Pius X in Kenya
wish you a
Blessed and Merry Christmas
and a
Happy and Holy New Year 2017!
They offer you their best wishes
and support you with their prayers to the Child Jesus!
Thank you everybody!
Before 2016 comes to an end, we would like to thank everyone very warmly who helped us to carry on with Holy Cross Academy project.
You have been so supportive to hear our call and to come to our aid. Some of you have been very generous, both in Kenya and in other parts of the world.
Thanks to your contribution, the school construction is almost finished. The small wing of the building is still incomplete, but we'll resume work in January 2017. Nevertheless, the heaviest part of the construction of now behind us, though a year ago we were really wondering how to go ahead!
This success, which we wish to share with you, is a pure miracle! We owe it to your generosity. Thanks to you all who have supported the project with their alm givings! Thanks to you all who have prayed and are still praying for the Kenyan Mission! Thanks to you all who have simply expressed their friendly sympathy in various manners when you received our newsletters and pictures! Your spiritual, financial and friendly support has been so precious for our perseverance in this project!
Our gratitude must be raised up to St Joseph. On 1st May this year, we have put the construction site under his patronage and protection. We even dared to place his statue at the place of the Sacred Heart! Saint Joseph graciously heard and has assisted us this far beyond our expectations. May He be blessed in eternity!
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