Syokimau, Kenya: The St. Thomas Region of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) in East Africa celebrated a day of profound spiritual joy on Saturday, 9 August 2025, as four deacons were ordained to the priesthood. The ceremony, held at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Syokimau, marked a historic moment not only for the newly ordained but also for the CMI mission in Kenya, which is now in its 41st year.
His Lordship Bishop Rodrigo Mejia Saldarriaga SJ, Vicar Apostolic Emeritus of Soddo, Ethiopia, conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders upon Rev. Dn. Joel Matheka CMI, Rev. Dn. Fidelis Kyele CMI, Rev. Dn. Martin Kiswili CMI, and Rev. Dn. Simon Mutua CMI. All four are Kenyan natives, representing the growing local vocations within the CMI mission.
The CMI Congregation first set foot in Kenya in 1984, planting seeds that have since grown into a flourishing mission. Today, the congregation operates 15 primary and secondary schools and two rehabilitation centres in the country, serving communities with both education and social outreach. The mission is jointly supported by the Devamatha Province (Thrissur, India) and the Coimbatore Province of CMI Fathers.
Globally, the congregation has 2,036 priests, with 40 serving in Kenya 14 of whom are Kenyan-born. The ordination of these four new priests is seen as a milestone in nurturing indigenous leadership in the Church’s pastoral and educational mission in East Africa.
The ordination Mass began at 9:30 a.m. and was attended by clergy, religious, family members, and parishioners from across the region. The liturgy was marked by joyful hymns, heartfelt prayers, and the solemn laying on of hands the ancient rite that has been at the heart of priestly ordination for centuries.
Rev. Fr. Jose Nandhikkara CMI, Provincial of the Devamatha Province, and Rev. Fr. Johny Thachuparamban CMI, Regional Superior of St. Thomas Region, East Africa, expressed deep gratitude for the prayers and support from across the CMI family. “The ordination of these four young Kenyan priests is not just a moment of celebration for the CMI, but for the whole Church in Africa,” Fr. Thachuparamban said.
With the addition of these new priests, the CMI mission in Kenya is poised to strengthen its commitment to pastoral care, education, and social service. The newly ordained will now begin their ministry in various parishes and institutions, continuing the work of evangelization and community development that has been the hallmark of the CMI presence in East Africa for over four decades.