Subukia National Shrine Day November 2024

The Young Christian Students (YCS) Chaplaincy at the Technical University of Kenya organized an enriching spiritual retreat to the Subukia National Shrine on November 16, 2024. This event, held annually, drew the participation of sixty-four chaplaincy members and was meticulously organized by the nine-member Subukia Committee.

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Committee Members

  • Marcel Okuku – Chairperson
  • Maryann Aminat – Secretary
  • Lucy Mutio – Treasurer
  • Kingi David – Coordinator
  • Fabian Suek – Coordinator
  • Yvonne Nyanchera
  • Gladys Njeri
  • Catherine Njeri
  • Brian Muthama

 

The retreat was themed around Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer," selected by Liturgy Moderator, Kingi David. This theme guided the day’s activities, fostering a deeper spiritual connection and growth among the attendees.

Event Schedule

The group convened at the campus by 6:00 AM, aiming for an early departure. Despite initial delays due to logistical challenges, the bus left Nairobi at 7:00 AM. During the journey, members engaged in several spiritual activities such as the recitation of the Holy Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and singing hymns, all coordinated by Kingi David.

Upon arriving at Subukia at 11:00 AM, following a brief stop for breakfast, the group embarked on the spiritual activities planned for the day. This included climbing the Holy Mountain, fetching holy water, reciting the Holy Rosary, and participating in the Way of the Cross while ascending the mountain. The retreat was highlighted by a Holy Mass celebrated by Father Macharia from Subukia, whose homily provided practical spiritual guidance relevant to the challenges faced by today’s youth.

The day concluded with speeches from Chairperson Marcel Okuku and the Chaplaincy Moderator, followed by group photos to commemorate the event. The group departed at 5:30 PM, enjoying a packed lunch during the return journey to Nairobi.

Financing

The retreat was funded through contributions and support as follows:

  • Individual Contributions: Ksh 600 per participant
  • Chaplaincy Support: Ksh 2,000
  • Total Raised: Ksh 40,400

Expenditure Breakdown:

 

  • Food: Ksh 5,851
  • Fuel: Ksh 25,800
  • Driver: Ksh 2,500
  • Mass Stipend: Ksh 1,000
  • Host and Wine: Ksh 2,500
  • Rosaries: Ksh 2,000
  • Miscellaneous: Ksh 749
  • Total Expenditure: Ksh 40,400


Transport

Transportation was facilitated by a 62-seater bus provided by the school, with all fuel costs covered by the chaplaincy.

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Appreciation

Special thanks are extended to:

  • Rev. Fr. Prof. Ndikaru Wa Teresia, our chaplain, for his continuous support.
  • The school administration for providing transportation.
  • The dedicated organizing committee for their hard work and commitment.
  • All chaplaincy members who participated and contributed to the retreat’s success.

We are immensely grateful to Almighty God for a fruitful and spiritually uplifting experience.

Challenges

Despite the overall success, the retreat faced some logistical challenges:

  • The bus provided was smaller than needed, requiring adjustments.
  • Fuel costs exceeded the initial budget, impacting the financial planning.

This retreat not only strengthened our faith but also reinforced the community spirit among the chaplaincy members, leaving us all inspired and spiritually renewed.