Pope Rafael Adika

Pope Adika and Cardinals

Legio Maria: A Religion in the Making

The rise of Legio Maria from Roman Catholic is something many Legios are still proud of till today. Like early Christians, the current Legio Maria faithful stand in a transition moment. They face ridicule for claiming that Simeo Ondeto is God just as early Christians faced massive ridicule. They face opposition from almost all Christian denominations because of their unique claim to have a Son of God whose name is not Jesus but Baba Simeo Ondeto. This too is similar to the predicament of early Christians who were the only ones to follow the claim that they had a messiah, son of Yahweh, incarnated as a man.

Religion Is Spiritual

While religion is purely a spiritual affair, many early Christians never considered it so. Indeed, some held to the belief that Jesus was a human and political Messiah who would soon return to give Jews their long cherished kingdom. They never fully comprehended the difference between a spiritual Messiah and a physical Messiah. Therefore, during the time of Paul, we see him plant a spiritual religion only to be opposed by Judaic sympathizers who considered Christianity incomplete without the Law of Moses. The famous Jerusalem Council under the guidance of James saw a huge leap forward for Christianity. James and the principal apostles endorsed a spiritual religion and distanced themselves from compelling Gentile converts to be circumcised.

So, through the incisive intellect of Paul, a spiritual religion emerged and got nurtured. Paul nursed early Christianity by supplying the initial theological arguments for its independence as a religion. Paul's letters inspired early Christians to recognize their unique position in history and to stand for a spiritual conception of religion.

Legio Maria Faithful Should Seize Their Moment

For Legio Maria members, the same old challenges that faced early Christians have returned. They are told that Simeo Ondeto cannot be the Son of God because Jesus has not returned physically on the clouds. This argument by Christians appears favorable for use in denouncing Legio Maria and Simeo Ondeto, but it is also an argument against the same Christians. If Christians insist that a true return of Jesus Christ must be as predicted in the scriptures, then they should carry the same argument to the foundations of Christianity.

At the beginning of Christianity, the Jews argued against Jesus being the Messiah because he did not physically fulfill all the biblical prophesies about the expected Messiah. To overcome the arguments for a physical messiah, Christians made flight to the spiritual Messiah. So, here, Christians and Legio Marias are all the same. Their Sons of God are both spiritual and not the physical fulfillment of the coming of the son of God. Religion serves the spirit. Yes, it does serve the body too, but both Christians and Legios alike would agree that they are seeking a heavenly Kingdom and not an earthly Kingdom.

The Destiny of Legio Maria

Legio Maria is destined to being one of the world's religions. Its claims, while based on the foundations of Christianity, will not always be justified through the Christian Bible. The Christian Bible cannot justify the return of the Son of God as a human being again because it is not a record of what God revealed in the age when the bible was written but is what God is revealing today. While the Bible is a record of truth, it is deficient in some truth because there are things about the second coming of Christ that had not been revealed at the time of the composition of the Bible. Therefore, the Bible will not justify the appearance of both Mary and her son on African soil, and the filling with the Holy Spirit at John Baru's home, because such events had not been revealed to early Christians and writers of the Bible.

So Legio Maria members must take heart. They must know that theirs is a new way that is explaining certain truths that were unknown to the past ages. And they must know that while the road ahead for Legio Maria is long, it is not impossible for Legio to grow into what God has planned it to be. All world religions began with opposition, with small congregations, and with rejected claims. They overcame the storms through clarifying their theology and through missions. Legio Maria needs to publish its books and not to depend on the Roman Catholic Church Tassera and prayer books. It needs to tell the world about its history, its beliefs, its prophecies, its morals and its God. Then, God who is faithful will do the rest.

“Our Lord Simeo Melkio, lead us in ministering your word to those who do not know you. Amen.”

LEGIO MARIA LEADING LIGHTS PART 2

Simeo Ondetto had close friends, good hosts, and faithful worshipers. Here is a look at other contributors to the growing religion.

1. Johannes Baru: Hosted Simeo Ondetto in Suna Migori. His home is the legio Maria's pentecostal site.

2. Pitalis Petrus Ogeka: hosted Simeo Ondetto in Sagegi, when Ondetto was still a catholic catechist.

3. Mumbo Carilus: The host of Legio Maria in Central Nyanza.

4. Oria ja Somali: The Founder of Legio Maria Mannyatta Church.

5. Oyier Dalmas: The human "van" of Simeon Ondetto.

6. Oking' Majoge wuod Okuyu: a faithful servant of Simeo Ondetto.

7. Duma: The male servant of Simeo Ondetto.

8. Prophet Gombe: The Only Legio prophet who prophesied the time and place of Simeo Ondetto's death.

9. Muga Kondiwa: A controversial but very instrumental Legio Bishop.

10. Gaudencia Aoko and Marcellianus Orongo: Two very instrumental people during the foundation years of Legio Maria. Though they left legio Maria and founded other denominations, their contributions cannot go unremembered.

11. Maurice Akello: The symbol of a true Legio Maria deacon. Committed to working for Simeo Ondetto his entire life, even he did not marry.

12. Omollo MaloMalo: The late Omollo died a faithful bishop of Legio Maria in 2013. He is remembered for his magical reference of God as living farthest in the beyond.

13. Angi Clement: The late Angi was the elite driver of Simeo Ondetto. He was a witness of many miracles and wonders performed by Simeo Ondetto.

14. Father Daniel Ayot; If there is a Legio Maria priest you may want to witness his masses and processional prayers, Ayot would come top.

15. Maria Ragot of Nyakach was the memorable host of Mama Maria in Nyabondo. She was a gifted charismatic who converted locals to Legio Maria to the extent that the local catholic parish was becoming deserted.

16. Mother Dorina of Kabaru: Stood almost in the footsteps of the biblical Sara. She  hosted Simeo Ondetto and even hosted the memorable Legio Maria pentecostal day.

17. Bishop Olan'go: Olan'go is a real charismatic. He has helped many legios to receive the holy spirit and is famous for his battles with evil spirits.

18. On'gawo Aloo: The controversial cardinal is an expert in episcopal matters.

19. Joseph Lila: an unforgettable charismatic.

20. Joseph wuod jakobo: A popular Legio Maria prophet.

21. Michael Ran'gwa: a prophet.

Legio Maria Leading Lights Part 1

Many faithful have made their mark in Legio Maria. I cannot enumerate all of them. However, I will recognize just a few. They include:

1. Vitalis Okello Oketa: Early prophet of Legio Maria lay Movement.

2. Romanus Ong'ombe: a catechist who sought out the new way.

3. Abala Rafael: Blessed with a magical memory; a man who retold the history of Legio Maria as if the events were just happening again.

5. Mumbo Carilus: The host of Legio Maria in Central Nyanza.

6. Okweto Silvester: The man who made the earliet discovery and prophetic announcement that Simeo Ondetto was God.

7. Dolpus Akello: the Leader of legio maria catholic lay movement that saw a transition to the present day Legio Maria.

8. Romanus Odongo: Gifted worshipper of Baba Simeo.

9. Hellena nya Rosary: Gifted worshipper of Baba Simeo.

10. Rafael Adika: Third Legio Maria pope whose gift of giving was incomparable.

11. Nelson Owino obimbo: Brother of Simeo Ondetto who never left the way.

12. Chiaji Lawrende: a great man with a steady faith.The second Pope of Legio Maria.

13. Atila Timotheo: The best of faith that ever occured in Africa. First Pope of Legio Maria.

14. Siprianus Ochien'g and Lucas Ngwala: early Legio Charismatics.

15. Tobias Oongo: A prophet of true prophesies.

16. Sila of Imbo: the wonder worker.

17. Maria Ombwayo: the faithful worshipper who prayed till the gates of prison flew open.

18. Susan nyar Ouma: Faithful handmaid of Simeo Ondetto.

19. Hebert Aloo: Early legio elite who took the church to Nairobi town.

20. Rafael Ran'gwa: a charismatic.

21. Peter Otieno: a matyr at Ephesus Church in Nzoia.