In keeping with our tradition as the Young Christian Students (YCS) at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and as practicing Catholics, we dedicated a day in November, the month commemorating all the faithful departed, to pray for the souls in purgatory. This event aimed to intercede for these souls, seeking God’s mercy and eternal rest for them in His kingdom. Organized by the Liturgy Office and led by David Kingi, the Liturgy Chairperson, this meaningful gathering took place at Lang’ata Cemetery on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

Event Proceedings

Members confirmed for the event began arriving at the cemetery by 10:00 a.m. Despite some late arrivals, the prayer session commenced at noon. The gathering started with hymns invoking the Holy Spirit, which set a reverent tone and spiritually charged atmosphere. An introductory prayer further established the solemn mood for the day’s activities.

Scripture and Prayer

The first scripture reading was eloquently delivered by Simiyu, who read from 2 Timothy 1:16-18. This passage features St. Paul praying for his deceased friend Onesiphorus, reflecting the longstanding Christian tradition of interceding for the dead. Another poignant reading from 2 Maccabees 12:39-40 highlighted Judas Maccabeus praying for forgiveness for his fallen comrades, emphasizing the importance of our prayers for those undergoing purification.

Following the readings, David Kingi guided the attendees in the Chaplet and Litany of Souls in Purgatory, where fervent prayers were offered for mercy and forgiveness for both the souls in purgatory and our own sins. Members spent an hour moving throughout the cemetery, stopping at various graves to pray and recite names of the departed as shared by our community through the St. Thomas and TUK YCS WhatsApp groups.

Discussion on Purgatory

The session also included an in-depth discussion on the doctrine of purgatory, exploring its purpose within Catholic theology. We discussed the concept of three potential afterlife destinations: heaven, hell, and purgatory, and delved into scriptural references like 1 Peter 3:18-20, which speaks of Jesus preaching to imprisoned souls—often interpreted as those in purgatory.

This discussion allowed members to share insights and deepen their understanding of the importance of intercessory prayers for the souls awaiting their final purification.

Conclusion and Reflections

As we wrapped up, an unexpected brief rainfall seemed to bless our gathering, adding a serene touch to the solemnity of the occasion. We captured the moment with photographs before departing for our respective church communities. The session concluded at 2:00 pm.

This visit to Lang’ata Cemetery was not only a profound reminder of our faith's teachings on the afterlife but also reinforced our communal and spiritual obligations to pray for those who have gone before us. The day was a poignant testament to our community's unity and commitment to fulfilling our spiritual duties.

By Brian – Secretary