Message of the week - Set aside an hour every day...

“Just as little children learn to speak by listening to their mothers and lisping words after them, so also by keeping close to our Saviour and meditating on and observing His words, actions and affections, we learn by His grace to speak, act and will like Him. I assure you that we cannot go to God the Father except through this gate... Set aside an hour every day before dinner, or early in the morning when your mind is less distracted and fresher after the night’s rest” (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 1)

Lenten Recollection at the Centre
This time our reflection is on the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation:
Africa's Commitment to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace
Every Saturday of Lent

Saint Rita Ministry (Hannah & Alice) donating the new Sunday Lectionary
to the Philothea Centre

Missionaries in Action:
Promoting the "You, Joseph" Book at the Karen Parish

Promoting the "Wellspring of Love" at the Karen Parish

Philothea Jesus Youth - Young People at the Centre for Recollection

Message of the Week

“Take for yourself the maxim of the apostle, “May I never boast of anything but the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Gal 6:14). Put Jesus crucified in your heart, and all the crosses of this world will seem to be roses. Those who have felt the puncture (stabs) of the crown of thorns of the Saviour who is our head will in no way feel any other wounds” (Letters 1420).

Word of Life Bible Study Programme

"Let the word of Christ in all its richness dwell in your hearts" (Col 3:16)

“Listen to him” (Mt 17: 5)

“Grant that as they meditate constantly on your word, 

they may grow in its wisdom and faithfully proclaim it to your people”

(Blessing of the Lectors, Ritual).

“Believe what you read, teach what you believe
and preach what you teach”

Message for the Season of Lent

“Lent is the autumn of the spiritual life during which we gather fruits to keep us going for the rest of the year. Enrich yourselves with these treasures, which nobody can take away from you and which cannot be destroyed. I am accustomed to say that we will not spend Lent well unless we are determined to make the most of it. Let us, therefore, spend this Lent as if it was our last, and we will make it well. Listen to the Sermons, because holy words are pearls; they are ships of infinite mercy – the true ocean of the East” (Letters 329).

Feast of Saint Francis de Sales

Philothea Missionaries with the Patron Bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba

Friends of Philothea!

Philothea! Lovers of God!

Jackson Mugo Receiving the Certificate for successfully completing the Journey in Christ Programme from the Bishop

The Lord is my strength and shield

Dear Philothea!

Our father Saint Francis de Sales possessed great trust in the provident love of the Heavenly Father, and asked his spiritual children to cultivate the same. This is one of his well-known teachings on the subject:

“Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. he is not only with me, but in me and I in Him” (Saint Francis de Sales).

Jesus our Lord and God said: “Think of the ravens. They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. And how much more you are worth than the birds! Can any of you, however much you worry, add a single cubit to your span of life?

Wish you a trustful week.

Peace!

Fr. George

God's ways and our ways

Dear Philothea!

Many times we don’t understand God’s ways – that is, His ways of leading us in holiness. We want our life to go on smoothly without any problems, without anyone challenging us for our failures and so on. In short, we are hesitant to take the food that God offers, and prefer to follow our own tastes. This is how our Father Francis de Sales describes this state of our heart!

“God gave the children of Israel manna in the desert, a most delicious food; and what happens? They do not want it but set their heart on the garlic and onions of Egypt. Our miserable nature always wants to have things its own way and not God's way” (Selected Letters 59)

Let us accept the “food” that God has prepared for us, even if at times it is bitter. God’s ways are for our final salvation; instead our ways may lead us to perdition.

Wish you a wonderful week.

Peace!

Fr. George