Kenya Mission
Cosmas Kithinji Kubai, OMI
Ordination

Surrounded by family and friends and his oblate community, Cosmas Kithinji Kubai OMI, was ordained a priest in a joy filled celebration on June 8th at the minor seminary in Nkubu, Kenya . The next day he celebrated his mass of thanksgiving; his first mass, at his home parish in Kiirua, near Mount Kenya.

Friend of the Oblates, and bishop of the Diocese of Meru, +Salesius Mogambi, presided at the liturgy and ordained Cosmas, along with eight other young men who were ordained deacons for the diocese.

Perhaps two thousand people gathered in Nkubo to pray for the church and for these young men called into service.

In his homily, Bishop Mogambi, speaking mainly in Ki-Meru and English, encouraged the nine men to lead simple lives, to serve Gods people, and to avoid getting drawn into the culture of accumulation.

At the end of the ordination mass the new priest’s first obedience was announced by Fr Ken Thorson, OMI;  Fr Cosmas would be assigned to the Kenya Mission and commissioned as superior of the Oblate Pre-Novitiate in Nairobi, and Director of the Karen Community.

Following the celebration, the parishioners of Kiirua served a meal for parishioners and for the family and friends of Fr. Cosmas. Not far away, Oblate Associates from Kionyo Parish, which lies just down the road from Nkubu, served a meal for the parishioners of the Oblate parish in Kisaju, a small town south of Nairobi. The fifty parishioners from St. Paul’s, Kisaju, began their four hour bus journey at 1AM that morning.

The next day at his home parish in Kiirua, Fr. Cosmas celebrated a mass of thanksgiving – his first mass! Vested for Pentecost in a red chasuble, a gift from friends in San Antonio where he’d completed his studies, Cosmas presided and preached with confidence, quite comfortable in his new role. His preaching and presiding at the Eucharist was surely the highlight of the day, followed closely by the joy expressed by the gathered community.

In a lovely moment, parishioners invited Fr. Cosmas down from the sanctuary to present him with a new suit and black shoes from Marks and Spencer’s. Then they lifted him onto their shoulders singing and cheering as they carried him through the congregation.

Fr. Cosmas with his parents

A feast of Kenyan dishes followed the mass, with plenty of food and drink – a feast – for everyone.

Late in the afternoon the Oblates began the four hour drive to Nairobi. After a short night they would make their way to Mombasa for their annual retreat.  Cosmas remained with his family in Kiirua and will be with them on holiday for the coming month.

By Ken Thorson, OMI