The St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program has graduated its largest cohort since its inception, after 38 priests and religious sisters completed the four-month psycho-spiritual formation course at the Beatitudes Christian Formation Centre in Murang’a County.
The milestone marked the conclusion of the Program’s 25th Session, held under the theme “Abide in me and I in you” (John 15:5).
Participants were drawn from 16 archdioceses and 11 congregations across Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and the Philippines.
In his keynote address during the colorful ceremony over the weekend, the chief guest Rt. Rev. Jackson Murugara, Co-Adjutor Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Meru, commended the cohort for embracing the journey of renewal.
“This graduation is not the end but a new beginning. The Church and society are in urgent need of priests and sisters who not only know the truth but live it; who not only preach the Gospel but embody it; who not only serve in word but also in deed,” the Prelate said.
Describing the sabbatical as “a school of renewal” that helps clergy balance prayer, reflection, and service, the Bishop Jackson urged participants to take the lessons learned back to their ministries.
“The lessons of humility, compassion, and integrity must be translated into action in your parishes, schools, communities, and everywhere you serve,” he observed, adding that
“The knowledge you have gained must be practiced.”
The graduates—32 priests and 6 religious sisters—received Certificates in Multicultural Psycho-Spiritual Counselling and Human and Personal Development.
In a moving but humorous testimony Fr Maurice Okuta from the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru narrated how he received the news of the invitation to join the sabbatical program with shock, disbelief and anger.
“On 19th August as I was taking breakfast, I got a message from my bishop requiring me to report for the program on the following Thursday; it was on Tuesday morning, I immediately called him to confirm if indeed the message was mine”.
Confused and angry, Fr Okuta sought solace from some of his friends who instead asked him what he had done to warrant being sent on sabbatical. The welcome he got at the center the first day immediately grounded him.
“We were taught about anger management and conflict management, a topic that resonated with me because for the 9 years I had served as a Priest, I had never had a chance to reflect. I was tired.”
He revealed that as he goes back to serve his diocese he had been renewed and refreshed spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and even physically and the words of St. Augustine “so late have I known you Lord” had come alive over the period of sabbatical.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the graduates Fr. Dan Chaunde of the Catholic Diocese of Isiolo said the program had offered the participants a rare moment of grounding.
“This sabbatical has been a God-given chance,” he said. “Today, God has picked us, qualified us, and empowered us. As we return to our ministries, we go back as renewed and faithful servants.”
“Our four-month journey of formation was only the beginning of a deeper call to service.”
Established in August 2013 by Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a, the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program was designed to offer clergy a space for rest, psychological renewal, and spiritual deepening.
Over the past 12 years, it has drawn participants from across Africa, Asia, and beyond.
The Program’s Director Rev Fr Stephen Kinuthia noted that the 25th cohort was the largest intake so far, a sign of the growing demand for ongoing formation among clergy.
“The Church continues to recognize the importance of ongoing renewal and this Program provides a safe and reflective environment for priests and religious to reconnect with their vocation, heal, and rediscover purpose,” Fr Kinuthia said.
The Program welcomes priests and religious men and women who have served for at least five years and are seeking renewal, rest, and deeper personal development.
The 26th session is set to begin on January 5,2026
by Florence Kinyua
