MIC: Golden jubilee celebration of Br. Spiridion Ndanga
On Sunday 27th October 2019, the entire community of Marist International Centre (MIC) celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Religious life of Br. Spiridion NDANGA. The celebration began with Holy Mass at 10:00 am in the MIC Chapel. The mass was attended by many religious men and women in and around Karen, staff, lay people and students of MIUC and the Rwandan community in Nairobi.
The main celebrant Rev Fr. Dr. George Ehusani, alongside fifteen other priests concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration. Father George in his homily reminded the faithful that they have gathered to celebrate Br. Spiridion's commitment, faithfulness, perseverance, and love for God and His people. In the course of the homily Br. Spiridion shared his experience as a Religious Brother for the last 50 years, saying that he stands as a witness of God's grace and power. In his words, he understood his vocation simply as God's work (Ephesians 2:10).
Narrating his vocational journey, he admitted that it has not been easy but God in His faithfulness has been with him all the way. His vocation journey was fraught with difficulties. Initially, he wanted to become a Priest but was disqualified on account of age. After wavering and putting his decision on hold on several occasions to join the Marist Brothers, on the 4th Sunday of Easter, 1967, he became convinced beyond doubt that God was calling him to dedicate his life to His service when he heard the priest say in a homily “God is still calling the youths, but some of them have closed the ears of their heart”. After the sermon, he felt confused, became restless and had no peace of mind. He decided to apply to join the Marist Brothers, a decision that brought him inner peace. He enjoined the faithful to pray for such youths today in similar circumstances he was many years ago in, that they may listen to the voice of God.
Br. Spiridion confided that his secret of perseverance and joy in religious life has been prayer by alluding to the words of the founder of the Marist Brothers: “Prayer is the essential point in religious life”. His joy has been in serving the people of God ‘’for to serve God is our lasting joy’’ He ended by encouraging everyone to persevere for the God who has called us is faithful and will see us through.
Rev Br. Dr. Albert NZABONALIBA speaking in the capacity of one who has known Br. Spiridion for a considerable length of time in several capacities; as his novice master, as his superior and member of the formation team, described Br. Spiridion as a man of prayer and spirituality, a man of patience and discernment, a man of obedience and leadership, and lastly, a man of action and vision. He went to reiterate that Br. Spiridion leads by example. Finally, he used the priestly prayer of Moses to Aaron found in the book of Numbers (Numbers 6:24-26) to invoke the Lord’s blessings on Br. Spiridion. Br. Mark ANOKWURU, the superior of Marist International Centre, offered words of gratitude for the years well spent in the vineyard of the Lord.
Br. Spiridion Ndanga was born in 1946. On completion of primary education, he trained as primary school teacher. After a year of teaching in 1967 he gained admission to the postulancy. He made his first profession in 1969. After three years of scholasticate and teaching for one year, he made his final profession in 1974 and the vow of stability in 1998. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in Bukavu (DRC). After his course in catechetics in 1977 he worked as a secondary school teacher as well as superior of a residence for university students. He became novice master from 1980 to 1989. On completion of his formation course in Rome he became postulant master from August 1991 to July 1992 and for the second time novice master from September 1992 to August 1994.
At the end of the genocide in Rwanda he was appointed superior of the District of Rwanda from 1994 to 2000. In April 2005 he became the superior of Marist International Centre until July 2011. In 2017 he returned to MIC as coordinator of the Marist Patrimony for Africa and Madagascar and as member of the formation team. MIC DIGEST COMMISSION, Nairobi, Kenya.