Final Vows of Fr. Ismaël Matambura in Nairobi
This event, which marks his definitive incorporation into the Society of Jesus, took place at Regina Caeli Parish in Karen. The vows were received by Fr. José Minaku Lukoli, SJ, President of JCAM, who also presided at the Eucharistic celebration.
Many companions from the various Nairobi communities gathered around Fr. Matambura on this significant day of his solemn profession. The concelebrants included Bishop Rodrigo Mejia Saldarriaga, SJ, Vicar Apostolic Emeritus of Soddo-Hosanna (Ethiopia), along with several Jesuits from various communities, namely Hekima (theologate), Mwangaza (spiritual centre), Kangemi (parish), Loyola (provincial house), and Africama House, which is Fr. Matambura’s own community. Several priest friends from outside the Society also took part.
The assembly also included a strong delegation from the Congolese community in Nairobi, along with friends and members of Fr. Matambura’s family who had come from Bukavu to accompany him on this important day. The Eucharistic celebration, lively and joyful in equal measure, was animated through a collaboration between the choirs of Hekima University College and the Francophone Catholic Community of Nairobi (CCFN).
In his homily, Fr. Minaku highlighted the particular meaning of final vows in the Society of Jesus, the culmination of many years of formation and the definitive incorporation into the body of the Society. He compared this long formation to the hidden life of Jesus at Nazareth, a time of incarnation and immersion in human reality, a deep preparation for ministry that calls each one to become a humble worker devoted to the mission, after the image of Saint Joseph.
Speaking at the end of Mass, Fr. Ismaël expressed his deep gratitude to his companions, his friends, and the family members present, as well as to all those who had accompanied him through his 23 years of formation. He thanked Fr. Minaku in particular, who had served as Socius to the Master of Novices at the time of his entry into the Society. He then invited the assembly to respond with joy and generosity to the call of the Lord, who entrusts to every baptised person a mission in the Church and in the world.
After the Eucharist, the participants gathered at the Donum Dei estate to continue the celebration of these solemn vows in a festive and fraternal moment.
Congratulations to Fr. Matambura! Through the intercession of Saint Joseph the Worker, chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary and patron of the Society, may he continue to be a devoted companion of Jesus, taking care “as long as he lives, to keep his gaze fixed on God, and on the nature of this Institute, which is a path to him.”
