140 Roma, 14 de octubre de 2003

Speaking to the congregation gathered in the church, Brother Sikelo thanked all those who helped him on his journey, including his parents, relatives, friends and of course, the Marist Brothers. He also took the opportunity to challenge the youth through this message to them, “Even in a world full of ideas of consumerism, individualism, personal gains and interests, it is still possible to follow Jesus Christ in his chastity, poverty and obedience.”

Monsignor Joseph Kimu VG presided at the Eucharistic celebration, which was concelebrated by many other priests from the diocese and the religious congregations working in the diocese. In his homily, Monsignor Kimu compared the commitment Brother Sikelo was making to an African woman’s service for her family. She looks for three stones, sets them properly with firewood in between to prepare food. Brother Sikelo is to serve the Lord through the three vows. Monsignor Kimu also expressed his gratitude to the Marist Brothers for the wonderful work they do in the diocese. He appealed for more brothers to come and work in the diocese.

This perpetual profession was another opportunity to share Marcellin’s dream with others and a good way of promoting vocations to the Marist way of life.

Many sisters travelled from various parts of the country and others came from mission houses in El Salvador and Honduras. They enjoyed meeting each other, living together for a short time and sharing the dreams that the Consecrated Life holds in today’s world in these lands of Central America.

The Congress also gave the young Religious the opportunity to share their charisms, to give thanks to God for their vocation, and to pray and reflect together so as to think about the challenges they face and to place Jesus of Nazareth at the centre of their lives. By doing this, they hope to give greater witness to the Gospel in today’s world.

The meeting was held in a fraternal atmosphere, marked by youthful happiness and an international touch (the participants came from fourteen Latin American nations). Six Marist Brothers in the post-novitiate stage of formation participated in the Congress while another two brothers contributed through accompaniment and by developing the themes for reflection.

Now, ten years later, Chris’ death can serve as an inspiration to us to reflect on the random and senseless violence that still prevails in the world. May his death deepen our own conviction and inspire us to strive to convince others too that violence will never lead to peace. This is best summarised in the words of Psalm 85: “Peace is the fruit of justice.” To promote justice is our main task and it is the only way to bring about peace.

The General Council wanted to remember this anniversary by printing a small booklet “ONCE ONLY” which is a short collection of some of Chris’ writings.

One of Chris’ poignant reflections, written in his diary on the 12th May 1994 while he was in Rome, is found on page 11:

“More and more I’m convinced that it isn’t length of life which is important but the passion and commitment with which you live it. This life is a gift to be enjoyed, to be used to the full precisely because it will end in death (MY DEATH!) one unforeseen day.

I must live this gift of life now without worrying what will be afterwards. God in His mercy and goodness will take care of that. If I worry so much now about ‘going to heaven’ or not, then I will not be able to engage fully in the here and now. If I don't, then what is the purpose of the Incarnation?

Questions of death and the meaning of my life and living it to the full are coming up a lot these days. What is that saying to me? A call to greater interiority, integrity and commitment, perhaps.

My prayer is ‘going well’ at present with occasional flashes of presence, a sense of the Lord being there and asking me to be patient and to respond. How isn't clear yet.”