During the celebration of the Feast of St. Daniel Comboni, founder of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, Fr. Andrew Wanjohi, the Provincial Superior of the Kenya Province, called on missionaries to rekindle their zeal and commitment to the mission of hope, unity, and renewal in today’s challenging world.
Delivering his homily on Friday, October 10, Fr. Wanjohi reflected on the theme “To Rekindle, To Revive, and To Be Missionaries of Hope,” urging his confreres to let the fire of their vocation continue burning despite difficulties.
“A fire consumes, fire is energy. When fire burns in us, crosses and difficulties cannot stop us,” he said. “A heart of fire remains focused on the goal and cannot be distracted by obstacles or setbacks, because the focus, the goal, and the motivation are clear.”
Unity Beyond Borders and Tribes
Fr. Wanjohi reaffirmed that from its foundation, the Comboni Institute has been international and multicultural, a reality that remains its defining identity.
“From the beginning, we have been an international and multicultural family not just because we want to be many, but to be a sign of God’s Kingdom, a testimony of communion among peoples and cultures,” he said.
He expressed concern about the creeping spirit of nationalism even within religious communities, noting that at times members tend to view leadership and elections through the lens of origin.
“We sometimes see people focusing on where someone comes from to decide their vote,” he observed. “Yet our community life is meant to be a sign where there is no tribe, no nationality—we are all one.”
Appreciating the spirit of fraternity within the Kenya Province, which includes at least fifteen nationalities, he said this diversity is a positive sign and a challenge to other provinces.
Drawing from his mission experience in South Africa a nation scarred by apartheid he said the unity among Comboni missionaries speaks more powerfully than words.
“Even when we are not preaching about it, the very act of being together speaks. Division cannot define us and can never have the last word,” he emphasized.
Reconfiguration: Facing Challenges with Boldness
Turning to the topic of reconfiguration; the process of bringing provinces together for renewed vitality Fr. Wanjohi described it as a persistent challenge dating back to the 2009 General Chapter.
“We have never been able to make a bold step in this element,” he said. “What is stopping us from living out our decisions? Perhaps it is fear; fear of losing power, fear of change, or the unwillingness to die to ourselves.”
He urged his fellow missionaries to confront this issue courageously, commending the Comboni Missionary Sisters for advancing the process ahead of the priests and brothers.
“This step will be possible for us too if we are fuelled by passion and hearts of fire, without fear of which province becomes dissolved or reduced,” he added. Quoting St. Daniel Comboni, he reminded them that “a mission like ours cannot survive in superficial holiness.”
Rekindling the Missionary Fire
Fr. Wanjohi expressed deep gratitude to Comboni missionaries serving in war-torn regions such as Sudan, especially in Lomin, a place once reduced to ashes by conflict but now showing signs of revival.
He recalled meeting an elderly priest in Italy who longed for the day missionaries would return to Khartoum, where the once-thriving Comboni College—a symbol of excellence—now lies in ruins.
“They may remember the great Khartoum, the great Comboni College, and the institutions that were reduced to ashes, but the joy and hope of going back are not diminishing,” he said. “We are called today to rekindle the fire that was there.”
He challenged missionaries to remain available for mission wherever they are sent and encouraged younger members to care for their aging confreres, especially in regions where the missionary population is growing older.
“To nourish the flame, we must remove the ashes and add fresh wood,” he said. “Are we still enthusiastic as when we first responded to our call, or have we grown weary? We are called to be witnesses of happy missionaries, people generating life, not merely surviving.”
Selfless Response to God’s Call
Highlighting the spirit of self-giving that defines missionary life, Fr. Wanjohi reflected on the selfless example of Fr. Tesfaab, a formator in the Kenya Province.
“Fr. Tesfaab once shared that when he felt the urge to become a missionary, his father discouraged him,” Fr. Wanjohi recounted. “He told him that not one, not two young men had gone to the mission, and none came back. But he didn’t give up.”
Despite losing his parents and fellow missionaries, Fr. Tesfaab remained focused on his vocation.
“He was aware of the discouragement from the beginning,” Fr. Wanjohi said. “But he persevered because of his conviction in the dignity of the African people, his tireless commitment to integral human development, his openness to diverse cultures, and his prophetic mission.”
Fr. Wanjohi said such courage exemplifies what it means to respond selflessly to God’s call, even when others doubt or discourage the mission.
Witnesses of Hope and Renewal
In his concluding remarks, Fr. Wanjohi said the Feast of St. Daniel Comboni is more than a commemoration—it is a call to spiritual renewal and missionary recommitment.
“This feast is not just a gathering because we miss one another,” he said. “It is a moment to rekindle our missionary enthusiasm, to remember who we are, our charism, and where we have come from.”
He urged missionaries who may feel fatigued, indifferent, or discouraged to allow their love for mission to be renewed, asking God for strength to face today’s realities dwindling resources, collaboration challenges, and the call to sustain the Comboni legacy.
“We are called to revive our spirits, our commitments, and to be proud of our unique charism,” he said. “Let us preserve the Comboni identity and feel strengthened and empowered as the missionaries of today. As much as others before us made history, we too are making ours in the midst of the challenges we face. May we have the courage and the strength to go where others would not.”
A Legacy That Still Burns
Fr. Wanjohi concluded by expressing gratitude for elderly missionaries whose enduring faith continues to inspire younger generations. He spoke of Fr. Dino, who served in Pokot and now prays daily for missionaries, and Fr. Antonio, 80, who left the province with tears, lamenting only that he could no longer serve.“Even after so many years of service, he still felt that if he had more energy, he would continue,” Fr. Wanjohi said. “These are testimonies and signs of hope. They revive our energy and remind us that the flame of mission continues to burn.”
