On 12 October 2019, the Common Formation Centre, Langata Nairobi celebrated 25 years of existence. Since its inauguration in 1994 to accommodate students from the AFRAM SVD Zone, the house has since produce many great missionaries now working all over the world. I had also a wonderful 2 years in the house where we shared the house students and staff from 19 nationalities.

About 20 alumni travelled from all over the world to celebrate this memorable day. Over 250 guests attended the celebration, majority from our missions in Kenya and Tanzania, friends and well-wishers from around the Langata area and beyond. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Jose Antunes da Silva, the Vice General Superior.

The day began with the blessing of the newly built Saints’ Mount where our two saints, St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz’s monuments stands. The Saints’ Mount was established for marking the jubilee. After mass, there were speeches from the alumni, the Provincial Superior Fr. Anthony Amissah and the Vice General Superior Fr. Jose Antunes da Silva.

Then there was the cutting of the anniversary cake, followed by lunch and entertainment led by the CFC student live band. The Philosophy students also were not left behind with their songs and dances.

In the evening, there was a social gathering with more entertainments from different groups. In addition, there was a PowerPoint presentation of the history of the CFC, poems and more speeches. One sister from Ghana province represented the SSPS sisters.

It was indeed a wonderful day that marked the great achievements in the formation of missionaries for the Church. All this happened because of the efforts of the CFC fraternity led by the Rector Fr. James Mailady as well as many others who worked hard behind the scenes. Jambokentan congratulates all those who worked hard to make the event successful and memorable.

Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD