Faith on the street

The Church recommends us to start the Lenten season with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. In Saint Joseph’s Parish/Larmudiac, Nakuru Diocese, Kenya. We followed the church’s tradition. Those who are physically strong attended the celebration but the sick and elderly could not attend because of the distance between the stations, since we have 9 stations, which are not closed to each other. As Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, our tradition is working very close to the people we serve, especially the poor. We decided to go around, bringing ashes and Holy Communion to elderly and sick people to their home. What surprised us is the joy and happiness of those people during our visit to their homes. The amazing event was that of an old woman who stopped us on our way back to the parish and requested for ashes and Holy Communion. I stopped the car and served her. She showed herself a woman of great faith. This reminded us the episode of Jesus and the woman who lost blood for many years. On his way to Jairus’house, Jesus met with her and since she showed great faith, Jesus healed her (Luke 8:43-48). Nothing can stop our promptness to God’s service and the poor continue to evangelize us in different ways. Saint Eugene de Mazenod, our founder might be happy if he comes back to life, to see how his sons are continuing with his mission.

By Faustin Litandu, OMI