First Forum on the ReEvolution of Works of Mercy in Kenya Opens a New Scenario of Hope and Mercy

By An inhabitant of spazio+spadoni On Sep 4, 2024

The voice of those who experienced the Forum in Nairobi is an invitation to get involved on works of mercy

Even in Kenya, The Forum reaffirms its founding reason: the reEvolution of works of mercy. There is a need.

“Let hope and mercy also run on your legs and spread through your voices.” Thus the celebrant at the Sunday Mass blessed all the participants who came from the diocese and beyond.

The Forum just ended with a big applause full of gratitude and joyful singing inviting to fraternity. The beautiful message from Nairobi Metropolitan Archbishop Philiph A. Anyolo at the beginning of the Forum was a great honor for us and a strong encouragement to our commitment to dialogue, in building between cultures and finding ways to peace.

Sister Costancia, a missionary, said to us at the end of the first day, “We are grateful to have been able to dialogue in this Forum about the many challenges we are called to face every day in the perspective, as Pope Francis called it, of a ‘bold theme’ because it goes sharply against the trend, in a time marked by individualism and indifference that generate so many forms of discard.”

The first edition of the Forum in Kenya saw a large influx of religious men and women, dozens of local and international speakers, more than a dozen connections from three continents for greetings from space spazio + spadoni.

The Forum unfolded in an atmosphere of fraternity and interreligious dialogue, the dissemination of the reEvolution of Works of Mercy, the centrality of ambassadors to operationalize the message, the tools that will support volunteer groups and associations, religious congregations and catechists.

Palpitating heart of the event, well highlighted in the media yesterday by the group photo with the celebrants, speakers, more than 150 participants and a great number of volunteers, was the atmosphere of joy.

One consecrated man’s report stressed that “this meeting was a signal for restart that is valid for everyone. We believe that this recovery is possible and sustainable-and calls for-an assumption of personal responsibility in the face of the challenges that await us.”

More than the speeches, it was the living that held sway over the two days. In fact, the track identified by the movement to announce OPERA M is developed in 5 concrete steps: invoke, listen, encounter, act and finally inundate. Following the Gospel account of Matthew, the participants identified themselves together on the path, in the difference of age and faith that by living, encountering, telling and recounting they see generate a change of themselves and thus a stimulus for others.

We like to invite all spazio + spadoni to watch on the YouTube channel the reports, stream or participate in the upcoming Forums with an excerpt from Bishop A. Anyolo’s message:

“I encourage you to embrace this reEvolution with open hearts and minds. Let us be vigilant in our practice of mercy, recognizing it as the path that leads us to the fullness of life in Christ. As we leave this convention, may we carry with us the conviction that by living the works of mercy, we are not only fulfilling our Christian duty, but also building the Kingdom of God here on earth. May God bless you all abundantly as you embark on this journey of mercy, guided by His love and grace.”

J. Rull – an inhabitant of spazio + spadoni