KENYA: “The Eucharist is the Power House for Strength,” Kenyan Bishop at the First Eucharistic Congress of the Diocese
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
At the first ever Diocesan Eucharistic congress in Kenya’s Eldoret Diocese, the Local ordinary has emphasized on significance of the Sacrament of the Eucharist as a the source of strength for Christians.
Speaking at the commencement of the three-day congress at Sacred Heart Cathedral of Eldoret Diocese on Tuesday, June 14, Bishop Dominic Kimengich said, “The Eucharist is the power house where we get strength…As a sacrament it is not a pride for the good but strength for the weak.”
According to Bishop Kimengich who was transferred from Lodwar Diocese in 2019 to head the Diocese of Eldoret, the Eucharist is the supreme Sacrament of all the other Sacraments in the Church hence, “It is not merely an instrument of God’s Grace but also very essential in Christian life for it is Christ himself.”
He narrates that Pope Emeritus Benedict describes the Eucharist as the “greatest treasure for the Church.”
During the event that was organized prior to the Solemnity of Corpus Christi where Catholics commemorate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Prelate stressed the effects of the Eucharistic communion highlighting to the congregants that: “The Eucharist increases the goodness of God in our souls, through it we receive forgiveness of sins as it takes away venial sins.”
The Bishop continued, “The Eucharist preserves us from future mortal sins and facilitates our prayer life especially the adoration.”
In his message Bishop Kimengich who ceased being the Apostolic Administrator of Lodwar diocese early this month of June underscored that the three-day Eucharistic Congress was to focus on praying for Kenyans to “live as one family of God.”
“We are aware that in the electioneering period, we normally have issues. We lack peaceful elections and many people have died because of politics. This year, we present the issue to our Lord Jesus Christ to enable us to embrace peace and live as one family of God,” the Bishop Kimengich.
He further noted that the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress has been organized in remembrance of Sr. Anna Ali, who took lead in adoration of the Eucharist in the Diocese.
