A significant moment in the life of the Oblate Kenya Mission took place at the Blessed Gerald Girard House in Meru. On March 15, the Oblate Community of Kionyo and Meru gathered to celebrate the reopening of the postulancy program and to receive four new candidates.
The Blessed Joseph Gerard House has been closed for the past year to facilitate the study leave for Fr. Fidele MUNKIELE. He is currently studying at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. It became clear however that we must reopen this program in order to insure the continuance of our formation programs.
Fr. Alfred GROLEAU, the former Mission Superior moved to Meru to join Fr. Faustin LITANDA and Brother Joseph Magambo to begin again the postulancy program. This is a nine-month program that will prepare the candidates to advance to the Blessed Joseph Cebula pre-novitiate in Karen, Nairobi, where they will begin their philosophical studies.
In a simple but solemn ceremony in the context of the Eucharist I, as the Mission Superior, had the privilege of calling four young Kenyan men to begin their journey with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. After the homily each candidate was called to begin their formation with the Oblates. Each was presented with a cross and a rosary.
We are pleased and privileged to welcome into our community: Moses Owino Odhiambo, James Ibare Gatehi, Phelix Johya and Job Wangwee. It is significant that all these men come from the west side of Kenya where there are no Oblates.
Following the induction service, all gathered in the dining room for a simple but festive supper. Celebrating is something we are very good at and lately we have had many causes to rejoice and be glad. As has been previously reported, we recently gathered in our parish in Kionyo (35 kms south east of Meru) on the east side of Mount Kenya to witness the final profession of Scholastic Brother Gideon RIMBERIA and Brother Joseph MAGAMBO. These are the first Kenyans to become members of our community. It is significant that Brother Joseph was present to welcome these new candidates to begin the journey that he has just completed.
OMI Lacombe Canada has been entrusted with the task of establishing and supporting this new mission with the intention of hope that it will truly become a Kenyan Mission. Our hope is that it will grow and become a delegation and an Oblate Province. With the reception of new candidates it is clear that the vision and mandate are indeed unfolding. In the words of Julian of Norwich “All shall be well, all shall be well.” We rejoice and are glad. (By James FIORI in www.omilacombe.ca) 
