The Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Most Rev. Philip Anyolo has applauded the Jesuit education, saying that it is the desire to educate, form, and prepare the youth for the present and future transformation of the church and society is very central to the mission of the Jesuits at Hekima University College.
The archbishop, who was among the speakers at the inauguration of Hekima University College 41 st Academic Year 2024-2025 alongside His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, observed that this holistic education is deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition. “The founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola, is often quoted as saying, give me a boy, and I will give you a man in return. This initially articulated Aristotle's Marxism, emphasizing the importance of education for the youth and providing the holistic formation of the person,”Archbishop Anyolo said, adding that in the past decades, the Jesuits have understood this saying of Ignatius of Loyola to mean an integral education that values and prioritizes competence, character, and conscience.
He expressed that Hekima University College commits to contextualizing formation, seeking a conducive context and cosmic formation for all. “This Ignatian Jesuit approach to education implemented here at Hekima University College cannot be and ought not to be undermined in our present time, especially when younger generations, for example, the Kenyan GenZ, demand and insist on character-conscious leadership as essential criteria for administration and governance.”
The archbishop further noted that in the African continent, which is plagued by the undeserved suffering of the masses, which often has led to revolutionary protests and solid desires for regime change as recently witnessed in Kenya, it is a good reason for the Jesuits to enter into the drama of our lives as human persons and as Africans to rediscover ourselves and to form a new paradigm shift of sense of brotherhood, reconciliation, oneness and understanding of worship of one God who is our creator.
Cognizant of the recently promulgated Jesuits Universal Apostolic Preferences, which included showing the way to God, walking with the excluded, journeying with youth, and caring for our common home, Archbishop Anyolo, the third preference, commits to accompanying our young people in creating a hope-filled future. This commitment showcases the Jesuits dedication to
radically changing the governance and leadership narratives soon. “This is what the Jesuit education is about and what Hekima has always championed through implementation. I am proud to have been schooled and significantly benefited from the Jesuit education. I only hope that the Jesuits, especially those at Hekima University College, will not modify further the words of their founder, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, saying give us a priest, and we will give you a Bishop in return!”
He further indicated that whether in classrooms or family homes, on the streets, or in our offices, proper education understood and approached from the formation perspective is meant to prepare us for life, instilling a sense of purpose and commitment in achieving our dreams. The Archbishop is convinced that Jesuit education is about this: an education that abhors mediocracy
but places itself in the spirit of the Magis. It didn’t escape Archbishop Anyolo’s attention that although situated in a small compound,
Hekima is known for dreaming, doing, and being big. He pointed out that Hekima has housed and produced quality men and women for the Church and society over the years; thus, the institution can be described as small but mighty. “I last visited Hekima during the African Women Theologians Conference in March this year, a gathering of brilliant minds and compassionate hearts of women. That occasion left me with immense hope for the Church’s future, where African womens voices will not just be heard but will become a resounding chorus that shapes the core of the synodal journey,” the Archbishop confessed, adding that during this visit, he told the participants that the world needs to listen to their unique songs and feel their contributions, wellsprings of creativities, empathy, and
compassion.
He noted that for this to happen, an enabling environment and consistent and deliberate support are needed. Therefore, he urged the administration of Hekima and implored people of goodwill to support the mission at Hekima in forming women of the Church and of the world in the spirit of solidarity, even as he tasked Hekima with the responsibility of helping to educate and form our women to prophesy, dream, and see visions and do the same for men. “As you begin the 41st academic year, I invoke the blessings of the Holy Spirit upon you, which has already been invoked upon you by His Eminence, the Cardinal. And upon you in a unique way, the staff, the students, the friends of Hekima; may God the Father of all goodness find you worthy to share in the abundance of this benevolence love, and may Christ our brother and our Lord opens the eyes of your hearts to see the genuine needs of our church and the world and
strengthen you to serve faithfully. May the Holy Spirit, giver of all consolations be gracious to send forth his spirit and wisdom upon you all. And I also implore the maternal care of Mary, our mother, the mother of the Church, Mary the seat of Wisdom for our unceasing intercessions.
I wish you a fruitful 41st Academic Year as you look forward and upward in hope.”
By Pamela Adinda, HUC Communications Coordinator