From 15th to 24th January 2026, the Mission of Kenya was privileged to welcome Fr. Edward Joseph Raju, C.Ss.R., Provincial Superior of the Bangalore Province, together with Fr. Sarath Maddineni, C.Ss.R., Provincial Councilor, for a fraternal visitation. Their arrival on Friday, 15th January 2026, marked the beginning of a grace-filled encounter for the entire Redemptorist family in Kenya.
The visitation sought to strengthen the Mission through pastoral accompaniment, fraternal dialogue, and formative guidance, encouraging the confreres in their apostolic life and renewing commitment to the Redemptorist charism. The visit also provided an opportunity to listen attentively to the realities of the Mission and to support its ongoing growth.
During their stay, the Provincial Superior and Consultor visited Redemptorist communities and parishes across the Mission, spending meaningful time with the confreres. These included established presences in Kinungi and Iruma, as well as the newer communities of Teges and Miyanga within the Catholic Dioceses of Nakuru and Bungoma, respectively. Each encounter highlighted fraternity, encouragement, and a shared reflection on missionary service among the poor and the most abandoned.
A significant dimension of the visitation was the encounter with students in various stages of formation. They encouraged the Orientation Year students at Iruma Community to build strong human, spiritual, and communal foundations. At St Alphonsus Community, Karen–Nairobi, they celebrated Holy Mass with the Students of Philosophy on 21st and later held a meeting with them affirming their academic and spiritual journey.
On 22nd, they met the Students of Theology at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Theologate, Nairobi–Karen, followed by a solemn Holy Mass during which 13 second-year Theology students were instituted into the ministries of Acolyte and Lector, marking a significant step in their preparation for ordained ministry.
The visitation culminated on 23rd January 2026 with a Mission Assembly at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Community, Kinungi, attended by all Redemptorist priests and Deacons serving in Kenya. The gathering offered a valuable opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and discernment on matters concerning the Mission’s growth and future direction, renewing commitment to proclaiming the Gospel to the poor and the most abandoned.
The Fraternal Visitation of Fr. Edward Joseph Raju, C.Ss.R., and Fr. Sarath Maddineni, C.Ss.R., was a moment of grace, encouragement, and renewal for the Mission of Kenya. It strengthened bonds of fraternity, reaffirmed commitment to formation and apostolic life, and inspired renewed zeal for mission.
Br. George Sifuna.
