In the recent years, God has blessed us with abundant blessings of vocations. This has led the Mission to reflect on the question: should we go slow on vocations or expand the formation structures in order to accommodate the increasing number of vocations? After discernment with the advice of the OPC, we have realized the current expansion of our two formation centers.
Holy Redeemer Iruma Formation House (OY)—initially, it used to accommodate around 8 students per year. The formation house has been extended in order to accommodate 15-18 students per year.
St. Alphonsus Formation House (Karen)—we have added one floor on the existing building which is complete.
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Theologate-currently, we have 26 professed brothers in Theology. The house in Karen cannot host them thus, we have rented a house at the Apostles of Jesus Seminary to accommodate them as we look the way forward to getting a piece of land and put up Our Mother of Perpetual Help Theologate.
Formation Stages
Currently we have three formation houses in the Mission.
Orientation Year—Each year we do conduct Vocation Camps to select students to be admitted in the Orientation Year. Every year we conduct vocation camps to choose best candidates. Before selecting the candidates, we visit their parish and families and admit only those who have met the necessary qualifications. Every year around five to seven candidates are admitted in the Orientation Year. Last year we received 14 aspirants in the OY. So far we are left with 11 candidates which is an increment from the usual 5-7 candidates. Thanks to the new facility that can accommodate such a number.
Postulancy in Karen–currently we have 15 students who are undertaking Philosophy at Consolata Institute of Philosophy.
Novitiate in Kinungi-Kinungi was temporarily erected as our Novitiate for 2024-2025. There are five novices from our Mission.
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Theologate-at the moment we have 26 students undertaking a degree in Theology at Don Bosco Utume Salesian Theological College. 17 from Kenya, 6 from Congo (DRC), 1 from Zimbabwe, 1 South Africa, 1 Mozambique.
In total we have 57 students in various stage of formation.
There is a request from other units in Africa-Madagascar to allow some of their students to do theology in Nairobi. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough rooms to accommodate them all. That is why at the moment KESAZI (Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe) are looking forward to purchase a piece of land in Karen and put up a house for Theology.