In a deeply moving and spiritually charged service, the Catholic faithful in Meru gathered yesterday evening to witness a historic moment as the Diocese prepared for the ordination of its Coadjutor Bishop-elect, Monsignor Jackson Murugara.
The solemn Vespers — an evening liturgical prayer deeply rooted in Roman Catholic tradition — was led by the Most Rev. Anthony Muheria, Archbishop of Nyeri, who stepped in on behalf of the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, His Excellency Bert Van Megen. Held on the eve of the ordination, the Vespers served as a moment of spiritual reflection and preparation, allowing the faithful and clergy to entrust the mission ahead to God.
In the Roman Catholic Church, Vespers marks the evening prayer of the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, a practice where priests, religious, and lay faithful sanctify the day through specific prayers at designated times. Rich in psalms, hymns, and scripture readings, Vespers offers the Church an opportunity to give thanks for the day and seek divine guidance for what lies ahead.
In his stirring homily, Archbishop Muheria captured the magnitude of the occasion, quoting Christ’s words from the Gospel of John: “Tend my lambs, feed my sheep.” Drawing parallels between St. Peter’s divine mandate despite his human flaws and the mission ahead for Monsignor Murugara, Muheria told the congregation, “The Lord chooses not the perfect, but those He has gifted. He tests us, and then entrusts us with His flock. Today, our brother has been called to that sacred duty.”
Emotions ran high as Monsignor Murugara took to the altar to profess his faith and officially take the oath of office. With a steady voice, he declared, “I place my trust in the Lord; the faith will lead me.” The declaration drew tears from some congregants, many of whom have journeyed with him in faith and service.
Archbishop Muheria did not shy away from the weight of the moment, calling on the faithful to remain prayerful not just for the incoming bishop but for the entire Church, including Pope Francis, who is ailing. “Prayer changes everything. Even Peter, who denied Christ, became the rock upon which our Church stands,” he reminded the attentive crowd.
As the Vespers concluded, the Archbishop invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Consolata — the patroness of the Meru Diocese — seeking divine strength and courage for Monsignor Murugara. The congregation responded in song, their voices rising in unison, symbolizing a Church ready to embrace its new shepherd.
Today, March 19, 2025, Meru will witness history as Monsignor Jackson Murugara is ordained Coadjutor Bishop. He is expected to eventually succeed Bishop Salesius Mugambi, whose years of service have shepherded the diocese through immense growth and faith.
The ordination not only marks a transition but signals hope, renewal, and continuity of the Church’s sacred mission in Meru. All eyes are now on the new bishop, as the faithful await his first blessing and the journey ahead.
