The Encounter of the Major Superiors with the General Government started with vespers on Sunday, September 4, 2022, animated by Father Joseph Mbungu, CMF. However, the official opening ceremony took place on Monday morning, September 5, and all the participants received a great Karibu Sana from the Claretians of St. Charles Lwanga Independent Delegation and the Christians from the Kikuyu tribe in Kerwa. The Kikuyu cultural group, through colorful songs and animated dancing paths, dressed each present with beautiful loins and bangles as a sign of Karibu-Welcome to Kenya. Following this warm welcome, Father General led the ceremony for the procession and enthronement of the Bible in the meeting hall. The Gospel passage for this liturgy came from John 15: 1-17. 

The encounter followed with a word of welcome from Father Joy Joseph, the Major Superior of Saint Charles Lwanga. The latter gave a historic and panoramic presentation of the Delegation and urged each to feel at home. Father General then gave his opening remarks and thanked God for making it possible for this meeting to take place. Father Henry Omonisaye, moderating the session, led the assembly through the dynamics of the encounter, especially concerning the timetable and daily schedule. 

The opening Mass took place at noon, celebrated by Father General. He expressed the Superiors’ communion with the entire Congregation in the different peripheries and even heaven. Before going for Mass, Father General made a sounding for moderators and redaction. Therefore, Father General appointed Fr. Rosendo Urabazzo, CMF, Provincial of USA-Canada and Fr. Valens Agino, CMF, of Indonesia-Timor Leste Independent Delegation as moderators. In the evening session. Frs. Jude Thaddeus Langeh, Francisco Carín García, and Mario David Gutiérrez Medina, CMFF were chosen as secretaries. 

Each Major Superior had 4 minutes to share the following two questions about their Major Organisms: 

• What has been most important in the life and mission of your organism since the XXVI General Chapter was celebrated?
• What two challenges in the Chapter Exhortation, Querida Congregación (QC) do you think your Organism should respond with greater dedication and urgency?

The evening session ended at 6.30 pm, followed by the recitation of the vespers.

Fr. Jude Thaddeus Langeh, CMF