KENYA: “Delocalize Children’s Mind to Orient them for Mission” PMS Director Advocates for Global Children Solidarity
Elizabeth Asasha
The National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kenya (PMS) has stressed the need to delocalize young minds to embrace a global “missionary mindset” as a salient catalyst for prolific future missionary activity.
On a Saturday, January 6, 2024 interview with Capuchin Television, Fr. Bonaventure Luchidio fervently stressed the need to break the yoke of spatial confinement and work to foster a sense of global solidarity as they grow up.
“We break the constraints of localization and delocalize children’s minds to think globally and understand that the church is one, holy, and universal.” Fr. Luchidio remarked while speaking on Epiphany Vigil at the inaugural Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC) Christmas Event organized and hosted by the Daughters of St. Paul.
“This should begin early so that as they get older, they can relate to and remember universal experiences with fondness,” he added.
The priest, who is currently serving his second term as the National PMS Director, validated the Christmas event for children noting that children are the cornerstone upon which the Church is built and that the joy of Christmas and Epiphany comes from strengthening the bond between children and Jesus through a three-tier axiom: Knowing, Loving, and Serving Christ.
“They know Jesus by reading the word of God, and they demonstrate their Love as they participate in the Sacraments, in the liturgical life of the church, and serve him by going out to proclaim him,” he explicated and continued, “Children helping children, children praying for children, children evangelizing children they are serving God and this is the joy of Epiphany and Christmas, the joy embedded in the star that guided the Magi.”
Fr. Anthony Chantry, a Mill Hill Missionary who is currently serving his seventh year as the National Director of the Missio England & Wales, emphasized the importance of creating child associations and how children can be directly encouraged to participate actively in the church.
“Children can be missionaries here and now, they can question and evangelize their parents, as well as share their innocence in faith, all while speaking freely to their parents and peers, unhindered by adult prejudice,” opined Fr. Chantry weaving in some Dholuo language diction to stamp his nine-year missionary work in the Archdiocese of Kisumu, Kenya before his appointment in the United Kingdom.
Fr. Chantry divulged that the Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC) and its complementary association, Mission together in England & Wales, although based in different cultural and geographical contexts, share a common charism, mission, and purpose, working collaboratively to help children grow in knowledge, love, and service of Christ and neighbor to foster an awareness of the missionary dimension of the church.
“The enthusiasm and the spirit witnessed among the children in this Epiphany event is amazing and quite infectious, it feels good to see children so enthused playing and praying together to build solidarity,” the Missionary cleric said and explained further the ongoing efforts to build global children solidarity beyond the school-based exchange programs and assemblies.
“We are very much focused on linking up with other groups across the world so when I go back, I will be singing the praises of the PMC and inform children,” Confessed the London-born Catholic priest.
On her part, Sr. Rosemary Mueni Mwaiwa, the Regional Superior of the Daughters of St. Paul, echoed the purpose behind their inaugural children animation on Epiphany, stating that the goal is to bring children together in a familial celebration that fosters a sense of community, and nurturing collective spiritual growth.
“We aim to bring children together to pray, celebrate, and grow in their faith as a family.” Noted Sr. Rosemary.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of Christmas and Epiphany, Sr. Rosemary conveyed that, “Christmas is not just about celebration; it’s about living the experience of Jesus in our families.” She encouraged families to search for the symbolic star, representing love, and underscored that the presence of love in families allows Christ to dwell within them.
And on her part, Sr. Olga Massango, head of marketing and projects at Paulines Publications Africa, described the event as a “great opportunity to help the children to deepen their understanding of Epiphany as they grow in faith because it is a feast for children particularly the Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC).”
The Sisters marked the day, which germinated from a prior Advent animation they would organize for children before the Covid-19 pandemic, with a cocktail of captivating activities for children preceded by the procession of the word of God with the enthronement of the Bible.
The children also participated in praying the Holy Rosary, dramatizing the joyful mysteries, Biblical Game; and the Journey of the Magi, and later garnered some Christian values in children’s Biblical movie streamed in the hall.
“Playfully will rediscover the personages behind Christmas, the figure of the Magi and why they brought gifts to baby Jesus, the symbolic star that guided them, and especially what they should learn from this act by the three wise men,” said Sr. Olga, the first Mozambican sister to join the congregation of the Daughters of St. Paul on July 20, 1985.
Violet Kanana, a PMC member reflected on the symbolism of Melchior’s gift of gold to baby Jesus, representing royalty and power as she emphasized the valuable lesson of collaboration and urged others to embrace a connection with God, encouraging those who haven’t joined the PMC in their churches to consider doing so.
Similarly, Muchiri from St. Paul University Chapel and Parish shared, ‘I learned about the birth of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and I’m eager to pass this knowledge on to other children.’”
Fr. Luchidio commended the National Directors of English Speaking Africa (NDESA) within the National Pontifical Missionary Societies PMS for their commendable efforts in fostering global solidarity among young people in faith. He expressed, “We endeavor to connect children from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Liberia, Nigeria, and other English-speaking countries online, facilitating the sharing of songs, quizzes, and missionary experiences. This initiative significantly broadens children’s horizons.”
The Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMC), established in 1843 long before the inception of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), played a vital role in forming children for missions. Father Luchidio emphasized, “The praxis of it all aims to instill in children the understanding that they are missionaries, baptized and sent.”
The day culminated with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Luchidio assisted by Fr. Anthony Chantry and fully animated by the PMC children.
Epiphany is a liturgical season that marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar. In the Catholic Church, the feast day is set aside to celebrate the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, as represented by the visit of the Magi (the Wise Men or Three Kings) to the infant Jesus.
“Epiphany Sunday is very important for children because of baby Jesus the theophany that is the baby is being manifested to the world and we are now telling the world to manifest children, safeguarding and providing a conducive environment for children to grow as children.” Said Fr. Luchidio who succeeded his predecessor the late Fr. Celestino Bundi as the PMS National Director in February 2018.
He emphasized the importance of addressing children’s needs and the responsibilities shared among different groups while encouraging generous gifting as part of the Magi visitation, aiming to assist children in difficult situations, especially those in war-torn areas and lacking necessities.
The feast is observed on January 6th, which is 12 days after Christmas. The colors associated with Epiphany in the liturgy are white and gold, symbolizing the light and glory of Christ revealed to the world. The feast underscores the universal significance of Jesus Christ and the call to share the message of salvation with all people.
Forecasting the future, Sr. Rosemary expressed the intention to continue the project in the coming years, with aspirations to expand its reach beyond the two participating parishes. She called upon well-wishers to support the initiative, emphasizing the potential for growth and the positive impact it could have on many children through animated activities.
