The Missing Oil, Got Kalafare 2024

Now the climax had come. The day to bury the Lord. His Most Peaceful, Baba Simeo Melkio Messiah. The Prince of Peace. The Lord of Lords.

 It was on the 14th day of September 2024. The 33rd Year since his flesh was buried at Got Kalafare, by Saint Timotheo Blasio Atila.

It was also the only other year since 1991 when all the dates matched the days of the week as they were when he abandoned his flesh and ascended, into glory.

 Like we all know, he is now our chief mediator, our chief advocate, before the throne room of Jehovah, the Lord of all Hosts.

On the morning of the 14th, a procession left as is custom. To the Sheep Field, called Paw Rombe. Then by some minutes past 10 a.m. it would leave to the Home of the Holy Spirit, John Baru’s homestead.

At Paw Rombe came the usual spirit. That harambee spirit. The spirit that calls the faithful to give some money, then, unfortunately divides it to the clergy. It may be God’s spirit. I don’t know. I am not sure, these days. 

Why do I say so?  There are no toilets at Got Kalafare. Most cardinals have some funny things they have erected near their poor dusty houses, which they call toilets—the right term would perhaps be latrines.

Like there is this pit latrine near Saint Timotheo Atila’s shrine, and next to a cardinal’s wretched house, where there is no door. A torn and worn-out sack is placed at the doorway, without reinforcement. So it moves to and from with the wind. During the day, you can only squat in there for a long call if you have no shame. But, well, that is our Legion Maria. Those are our riches. Perhaps, it is God, oh!

Back to the spirit, and why sometimes, doubt may hit your mind.

Now here is a congregation of Legion Maria members. They have come in their numbers. Majority seem, at least, honest and right thinking. Or imaginably, brainwashed. They are called by this harambee spirit, almost everywhere they gather, to spread a piece of cloth, abola to be precise. Then pay some money as they receive blessings. Well, who doesn’t want to be blessed.

So, great. But wait a minute. As soon as the money is given and counted, it is distributed, all of it, with the spirit, usually the “voice of Baba Messiah”, using the money to thank his “children” who have done an excellent job during the entire solemnity.

At Paw Rombe, what struck me is that some bishops and arch-bishops were left infuriated. The money shared to them out of the total given did not please them. Likewise, the share to the priests was too small to mention.  

Of course, the debate is not whether Baba Messiah has authority to do his will or to thank those he desires. It is just that the question marks are increasing. And a big chunk of the clergy, quietly dissatisfied. Asking why all the monies cannot be collected into a bigger, singular cake to do the many things missing in the church.

Like on this day, for some, neema iliisha, the grace to continue the solemnity with singular resolve was lost. As the train of prayer, bogi, left Paw Rombe, they stayed back a little, disappointed.

So why would this spirit, Baba or otherwise, not do worthwhile projects. Why would He seek to collect up to 50,000 here, 30,000 there, and another 6,000 there, then divide it. Send it literally to people’s bellies when Got Kalafare today still looks like a deserted traditional African shrine.

There is no house where Cardinals, archbishops and bishops who have travelled to come witness the memorial can rest, let alone keep their baggage. The priests must contend with sheds under trees.

And in the cold of this year, no wonder several of the faithful who left had to go straight to hospital, sick. The numbers of the sick post the memorial are there to tell the story of a church that is 60 years old but still does things like a toddler, born the other day.

Now, after the train of prayer left Paw Rombe, some of us remained behind. Why? Because we heard word that Pontiff Lawrence was coming there ostensibly to bless us. Unfortunately, after the money had been collected and shared, the train had to leave soon, this time, without His Peaceful, Lawrence Ochieng Kalul blessing the faithful there.

Maybe he was late. Perhaps in the view of the procession in-charges, the time to leave had come.  Maybe he wasn’t supposed to be there, you never know. Or maybe, just like everywhere, we are a church of the Holy Spirit, run by the spirit, we don’t care about seniority, protocol, plans, or programmes—just the voice of the spirit.

As we were still at Paw Rombe, the entourage of the Pontiff arrived. Weee! Legion Maria has changed, by a lot. Whereas 10 years ago we were arguing about the use of Akala, chappals or even tire-made sandals in the hot, sunny and dusty processions, this time round, shoes got straight into the holiest of places. Shoes, yes. You heard that right.

A group of young men, calling themselves the security of the pope, were the shoe bearers. You see, nobody has problems with shoes. Don’t get this wrong. But this security team wore boots, the kind of boots you see with these security companies. And to mimic security elsewhere, they came in outriders—some bodabodas, a senselessly over speeding car, and hooting.  Rome and Vatican, here we come to learn how you guard your Popes!

Let’s give it to them. Congratulations for guarding the man of God with valour.

But to our utter shock and disgust, they did not remove their boots throughout. They never wore Kanzus. They were in heathen uniforms. And of course, some of them, at least the ones that were recognizable, were deacons, acolytes and brethren of our church.  

So when His Peaceful, Baba Mtakatifu Lawrence Kalul alighted from his car, the security guards surrounded him. As he wore his ecclesiastical garments, they stood guard, macho!

As he prayed, squirted Holy Water upon the few faithful left at Paw Rombe, they stood, walked, and assisted him, in their boots. As he blessed the faithful, who were kneeling, there were these non-mortals, these angels from heaven, guarding him, standing, and keenly monitoring the situation—protecting him, and in their official shoes, the boots.

This is the new Legion Maria. We need no Jomikael to guard no one. We need no guards in Kanzus. Our guards must be worldly in every sense, and wear shoes around the Supreme Pontiff.

After the blessing, we went to the Home of the Spirit, Ka-Baru. Along the way, we caught up with the procession that had left us behind. In there, we did our usual greetings of the various shrines or huts, then went for Mass. Once Mass was done and the procession left for Got Kalafare, me and some priests went ahead, to shower and prepare for the august event, the burial of Baba Messiah.

You see, those are not bathrooms. But you just have to do with them. Men and women, clergy and lay, brothers and sisters must survive. When in a hurry, as we were, water was placed for us in the wrecked toilets, and we showered. It doesn’t matter, so long as you are bathed.

By 3:00 p.m. the priests were gathering at the house of the Father in-charge St. Mary’s Basilica, Got Kalafare, to vest and prepare for the solemn burial. The choir too, in their smart, well-ironed cassocks were warming up. The deacons, wow, the deacons of Legion Maria! Those brethren know how to look clean and smart for solemn masses. They were splendid. Of course, everybody else did their best—no mention is no reason to the contrary.

The burial procession left to Timotheo Atila’s house, next to his shrine, where His Peaceful, Lawrence Ochieng would be picked, together with his cardinals, bishops and archbishops. But of course, the priests had to be priests. They did a procession towards the arena, singing Un Jo-Puglikan gi, un ema usando Messiah Ruodha. The song and procession stirred the entire Got Kalafare.

The priests’ procession then moved to the location of Baba Mtakatifu, Lawrence Ochieng Kalul, then with everyone ready, it moved to the location of the symbolic body of His Most Peaceful, Baba Simeo Melkio Messiah.

We processed stealthily, in song and concentration. Then once inside, His Peaceful Lawrence Ochieng blessed the body and did a short prayer, flanked by priests, bishops, archbishops and cardinals. There were mothers in there too, with flowers and florals. But something, on this day, was missing. The oil.

Just as Jesus’s body was prepared with precious, aromatic oils for burial, so is Baba Messiah’s body. The symbolic body is made of several cloths. The clothes that He, the Messiah, wore or used while in his earthly tabernacle. Those cloths are packaged into layers, from the lowest to the topmost. Together, they form a continuous whole, a singular body, called for the purposes of Kaburi and the memorial of Baba Messiah as His Real Body.

Now, the mothers of our church, just like those women who were there at the burial of Christ or after the Sabbath went to anoint his body, have the privilege of preparing Baba Messiah’s Body for this burial.

Of course, this role is played by very senior mothers of the church. They peel off layer after layer of these cloths and apply expensive, strong smelling, perfumed or aromatic oil.  (Read Luke 7:36-39, a broken, sobbing, unnamed woman anoints Jesus with oil and tears. Or Mark 16:1, when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.)

But on the 14th September 2024, it seems the arrangement wasn’t made properly. And after Baba Mtakatifu Lawrence Kalul had done his part and it was the turn of the women to apply expensive anointing oil, the oil was nowhere.

It was sent for, and for some minutes, the oil was not arriving. At such moments, quick thinking helps. Even Deepak, the Indian Lotion for Hair, can do a good job.

As you might know, the spirit likes Deepak and uses it but hates the other hair lotions and oils. Well, the spirit is sovereign, we can’t question what He likes or doesn’t like, we just obey.

And so, on this day, somehow, the oil that was intended was missed. And makeshift oil was applied, to the Glorious Body of the Lord.

Ikechwa Ruodhwa. Forgive us, O Lord.

Tension over Teeth Removal Got Kalafare 2024

 

It was 13th September 2024. The eve of the big memorial. The following day, we, the priesthood of Legion Maria of African Church Mission, would be burying the symbolic remains of His Most Peaceful, Baba Simeo Melkio Messiah, Our Lord and Our God.

By tradition, the eve of the Holy Festival is a Vigil. But generally marked by rosary prayers at the Got Kalafare Arena. So, on this evening, a huge congregation of the faithful were gathered at the Main Arena, praying ceaselessly.  Messiah Himself also came by the power of the Holy Spirit and spoke to the faithful. In fact, on this night, Simeo spoke to the faithful for at least 2 hours non-stop and deep into the night.

Now the meeting of the priesthood was called in the house of the Priest In-charge of St Mary Basilica, Got Kalafare, Father Moses Opija. He too being the Superior General of the entire Priesthood of the church, a post he has held for several years now.

Priests began to arrive at the venue at around 8:30 p.m. And as soon as quorum was achieved, an estimated 23 priests already present and seated, the meeting was called to order by the rector, Father Orao and then by the Superior General, Father Opija. A brief prayer was offered, then followed introductions.

Every attending priest said his name, the diocese, and the parish, also loosely called mission.

Following the brief introductions. The agenda of the meeting was stated. But quickly, the Superior Father dismissed any possibility of discussing the pertinent issues of the priesthood, saying that another meeting is set for the 14th of September 2024, where as soon as the priesthood is done with the burial rites of the symbolic body of the Messiah, then all priests would march straight to the same venue, take their lunch and proceed to meet.

Now, seated, the agenda would be burial of Simeo’s body, in particular, selection of the 12 priests who would carry the body and process with it to the graveyard, or the mausoleum. Father Orao stated the requirements that every priest should meet to be selected. Not much really, just the dressing code.  Then the selection began.

Each diocese was to be allocated at least a slot among the twelve. But a maximum of two priests per diocese, for any diocese that would be participating. Those who participated the previous year were of course to relinquish their slots so that new faces are allowed the privilege.  For the next 30 minutes or so, the selection went on smoothly.

 Then something came up. The ugly customary elephant. Teeth removal. A luo tradition now given prominence by some members of the flock.  

One of the priests, who had been chosen, raised his hand and demanded to know why some priests were already chosen who had not removed their six lower teeth.

“Rector, there is a requirement that I think will cause chaos tomorrow,” he said, somewhat apprehensively. “I see you are ignoring teeth removal, yet it will prevent some priests from accessing Baba’s mausoleum,” he added.

The rector reacted dismissively.

“Let us first choose, then we can discuss other issues later,” he replied.

But the pandora’s box was already open. The priests picked queue from the Rector and jumped on the topic, immediately. And for the next 25 minutes, a heated debate would ensue.

“Priests must be free to do their work without restrictions,” said one priest angrily. “We who are here do not ordain priests, they are ordained by bishops, so if there is a requirement to remove their teeth before they can fully perform their role, pass that message to the bishops who ordain them, not us. Here, all are rightly ordained priests, without exception, and must be allowed to officiate the burial, as only priests must,” he opined.

“No priest will be stopped by any one from accessing the holy grave,” affirmed another priest. “In fact, those members of the order of St. Michael who dare to stop some priests along the way have gone too far and formed a foolish habit. They must be stopped before they believe it is normal to stop priests going to Baba’s grave,” he added.

More priests joined the queue in raising the alarm.

“Last year I had three priests who were not Luos, and two mothers, from Kericho and Transmara,” stated another. “It was their first time coming to Got Kalafare and they were picked to be part of the procession. Then by the doorway, as they were entering the grave, they were stopped by some members of the order of St Michael. We had to push those “jomikael” out and force our way in.  It was sad,” he asserted.

“Teeth removal is a luo rite, turned Legion Maria practice, let those who have the grace to do it, do so,” said another. “But anyone forcing others or denying other Legion Maria members the rite to officiate or access the grave of Baba because of that must be stopped and condemned,” he added.

“Yes, I have seen a member of this church stopped from joining the army, and another from joining the police because of lack of their teeth,” said another. “They are no longer members of this church because they believe the church cost them the opportunity to pursue their dreams in the forces. That is why I detest anyone pushing others, especially young, school-going Legion Maria members to remove their teeth. It can hurt their chances at a career, and destroy them for good,” he added.

As the consensus moved towards rejection of teeth removal as a prerequisite for priests to officiate the burial of Baba’s body, those in support of the criterion raised their voices.

“No, it is a requirement,” stated the priest who had brought up the issue. “We can’t go against Baba Messiah’s decree. It is him who insists that those who haven’t removed their teeth should not enter the grave,” he pushed, forcefully.

But he could not be given any breathing space.

“Where did Baba say that?” one of the priests asked, deridingly.

“Baba always say that through the holy spirit. Haven’t you heard,” he replied.

“No, you can’t push us to adopt that position. In any case, we know there are three things with the Holy Spirit in our church today: true spirit, fake spirit, and evil spirit. Baba never rejected anyone with his teeth intact when he was here with his flesh. His real flesh. Now, how can he now reject the same people and stop them from going to his grave. That position, I believe is a creation of either fake or evil spirit, who wants to deny Baba’s children the chance of going to him,” added another priest.

“My position is that teeth removal is a Luo custom adopted by our church as Africanization of Christianity,” stated another.  “The faithful need grace to accept it, not be forced to adopt it. In any case, this church belongs to all Africa, and it was brought for all African tribes. The fact that it occurred first among the Luos and some Luo practices found their way into the church does not in any way make Luo tradition superior to other African customs. That is why grace is the only way on this matter. Let no one impose on others a custom, but let them, including priests, accept it by grace,” he added.

It was now clear that the priesthood had rejected teeth removal as a barrier, as a deterrent to anyone of them officiating the solemn interment of Baba’s body the following day. In fact, those opposed to this consensus, feeling overwhelmed, yet believing they hold the right position, sought to withdraw their names from the list of officiators.

“If it is so, then I can’t be party to the twelve, I withdraw,” said the priest who raised the issue in the first place. “I can’t participate in profanity,” he pontificated.

“Well and good, we just replace you and move on,” stated a priest holding the opposite view.

In the next few minutes, the tension had reached its climax. Those opposing fully teethed priests were allowed to withdraw their names if they so wished.

Meanwhile, attention shifted to dealing with any “jonabi” or “jomikael” who would attempt to stop the procession because of teeth removal.

“So how do we deal with any members of the order of St. Michael who may seek to stop one or two priests tomorrow because they have not removed their teeth?” asked one of the priests opposed to having fully teethed priests on the list.

“We will stop them,” stated one priest with authority. “No person will joke with us tomorrow. The joke has been allowed too far.”

The solution, it was agreed, was to pick six other priests, whose role would be to guard the priests who will be carrying Messiah’s symbolic body. The guardian priests would be stationed in front. Just ahead of the twelve.  They would use any means, fair or dirty, to stop any person trying to stop the officiating priests from performing their priestly duties.  This position was unanimously endorsed and became the decision of the body of the priesthood.

With the issue resolved, and the list complete, the meeting was soon adjourned.

 

LEGION MARIA OF AFRICAN CHURCH MISSION CONSTITUTION

 

LEGION MARIA OF AFRICAN CHURCH MISSION

CONSTITUTION

 

1.    NAME AND HEADQUARTERS

(a) The name of the church constituted by these Rules shall be LEGION MARIA OF AFRICAN CHURCH MISSION (here in after referred to as LEGION MARIA).

(b)The Offices and the Headquarters shall be at Got Kwer South Nyanza at the site of St. Mary’s Basilica or in any other place selected by Legion Maria in any of the East Africa Territories.

2.    MEMBERSHIP

(a) Any baptized person who accepts the principles of the order of Legion Maria through the spiritual leader of faith shall be a member.

(b)Members shall include the Diocese under the leadership of the appointed members of Legion Maria who are followers of the spiritual based at Got Kwer South Nyanza as a foresaid.

3.    OBJECTS

The objects of Legion Maria shall be:

(a) To foster Christianity through the spiritual guidance of Legion Maria and to invoke the Christian World faith of Legion Maria in the heart of the African people through the Holy Ghost and OLD and NEW Testaments.

(b)To establish and uphold the rights of Christian faith in the Catholic form of worship in order to maintain a sound and correct worship of God through Jesus Christ.

(c)  To invoke and maintain the apostolic worship of God through the Communion of Churches in Africa and to maintain the faith of World Legion Maria.

(d)To provide a better relationship between the established indigenous Churches of Africa for the building of Pan Africa Worship of God through Jesus Christ provided that Legion Maria shall remain independent of all or any of them.

(e) To acquire lands for the building of churches, schools, hospitals and other charitable institutions for members, their, and/or dependents.

(f)   To establish and maintain funds by donations and voluntary subscriptions for the realization of the above objects.

4.    OFFICE-BEARERS

(a) There is an extraordinary spiritual leader known as BABA SIMEO MELKIO MESSIAH. Founder of Legion Maria of African Church Mission. He is the Eternal Father of the Church of Legion Maria of African Church Mission.

(b)There is a Pope appointed by Baba Simeon Melkio Messiah who in his absence, succeeds him as Baba Mtakatifu. The leadership of the entire Legion Maria of African Church Mission then shall fall on him as Baba Mtakatifu for the rest of his life.

(c)  Subsequent ascension to the leadership of Baba Mtakatifu—Pope—will be determined by the help of God through the Holy Spirit.

(d)There shall be nine categories of Ecclesiastical orderlies namely:

(i)                The Pope—Baba Mtakatifu

(ii)             The Cardinals (Cardinal Dean, Cardinal Vicar, Cardinal Chamalengo etc.)

(iii)           The Revered Arch-Bishops Most Rev…

(iv)           The Revered Bishops Right Rev…

(v)             The Revered Prefect Bishops and Most Rev. Arch Bishops.

(vi)           The Revered Vicar Bishops and the Rt. Rev. Bishops.

(vii)        The Revered Auxilary Bishops.

(viii)      The Revered Priests & the Very Rev. Priests, Vicars…etc.

(ix)           The Reverend Deacons.

(e) (i) The ecclesiastical orderlies shall represent in their Bishoprics dioceses and churches under the spiritual grace of Baba Mtakatifu.

(ii) Persons eligible to the rank of ecclesiastical orderlies are required to be either unmarried or married to one woman with full matrimonial rites.

(f)   Persons coming into the membership of Legion Maria of African Church Mission with previous Polygamous marriages are encouraged to pray but are barred from holding ecclesiastical office.

(g)There shall be an Apostolic Council of Legion Maria under the chairmanship of His Most Peaceful Baba Mtakatifu composed of his peaceful Baba Mtakatifu and his auxiliaries: General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, Administrative Secretary and all the Ecclesiastical Orderlies of Legion Maria.

(h)The appointment of any new spiritual leaders shall be a subject to the regulation and approval of the Apostolic Council of Legion Maria.

i.                    The ecclesiastical orderlies shall aid the spiritual leaders and shall work into their offices and churches as the princes of the Church and as teachers of the testament and will be the disciples of the leader of the faith.

ii.                 The approval of the Apostolic Council of Legion Maria of African Church Mission will be certified by ordination certificates, issued by the same council to the Revered Deacons, the Reverend Priests, the Reverend Auxilary Bishops, the Reverend Vicar Bishops, the Reverend Arch Bishops and the Cardinals.  These certificates should be duly signed by the Pope as Baba Mtakatifu.

iii.               Should any of the ecclesiastical orderlies be found guilty of apostasy, heresy or ungodly practices against the faith and canonical orders of Legion Maria of African Church Mission, his ordination certificate will be confiscated by the Apostolic Council and further appropriate measures taken to discipline him.

(i)    The ecclesiastical orderlies shall aid the spiritual leaders and shall work into their offices and churches as the princes of the church and as teachers of the testament and will be the disciples of the leader of the faith.

(j)    The Vicar Bishops shall supervise the work of the Auxilary Bishop or Bishops.

(i)               ORDINATION OF WOMEN

Women ordained as Mother-Sisters cannot under any circumstances function as communal priests.

5.    ADMINISTRATION

(a) There shall be:

(i)               THE GENERAL SECRETARY

He shall keep all papers belonging to his office, convene all meetings of Apostolic Council as the Apostolic Council may direct from time to time. He shall be directly responsible to the Apostolic Council and shall be the Chief Administrator of the Legion Maria on behalf of the leaders and the Apostolic Council. He shall also deal with correspondence.

(ii)            THE ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY

He shall assist the General Secretary and act for Him in his absence. He shall also do such other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Apostolic Council.

(iii)          THE TREASURER

a.     He shall be responsible for all funds of the Legion Maria and shall keep proper books of income and expenditure of the Legion Maria.

b.     He shall deposit for safe keeping such funds with such bank or banks as may be selected by the Apostolic Council. He shall be directly responsible to the Apostolic Council.

(iv)          THE CHIEF PROTOCOL

He shall be the assistant treasurer. He shall also be responsible for the welfare of all guests of Legion Maria.

(v)            THE ASSISTANT CHIEF PROTOCOL

He shall act in the former’s absence.

(vi)          THE ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY

He shall be the day to day organizer of Legion Maria. He shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Apostolic Council.

N(b): The office bearers established under this clause (i.e. clause-5) shall be persons who qualify for membership of Legion Maria of African Church Mission as provided in Rule 2 (a) and shall be appointed by the Apostolic Council under the guidance of Pope, Baba Mtakatifu and should any one of them or both (collectively) be found guilty of apostasy, heresy or ungodly practices against the faith and canonical orders of Legion Maria of African Church Mission, one or both (collectively) so found, may be disciplined by the Apostolic Council.

6.    THE APOSTOLIC COUNCIL OF LEGION MARIA

(a) The Apostolic Council shall direct all church affairs. It shall be the supreme authority of the Legion Maria.

(b)The voting of the Council shall be by secret ballot.

(c)  The spiritual leader shall have a casting vote.

(d)Baba Simeon Melkio Messiah or in his absence, Baba Mtakatifu shall be the last authority of the church.

(e) It shall be the body responsible for the realization of the objects of Legion Maria of African Church Mission as specified in Rule 3 above.

(f)   It shall be its duty to consider the excommunication of a leader or a member for such misconduct as may occur and may recommend the replacement.

(g)For the purpose of carrying out its duties it shall have the power to utilize the funds and property of the church to enter into any transaction and to execute in the name of the church any deed or document that may be necessary. It shall meet not less than once in every three months.

(h)Three quarters of the total number of the council shall form a quorum.

7.    GENERAL MEETINGS

(a) There shall be two classes of General meetings: Annual General Meeting and Special General Meetings.

(i)    The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the 1^st day of January in each year. Notice in writing of such Annual General Meeting, accompanied by an Annual Statement of Account and Agenda for the meeting shall be sent to all members not less than 21 days before the day of the meeting.

(ii)             The agenda for any Annual General Meeting shall consist of the following:

a.     Confirmation of minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.

b.    Consideration of the accounts.

c.      Appointment of Auditor in accordance with rule 10 (a).

d.    Such other matters as the Apostolic Council may decide or as to which notice shall have been given in writing by a member or members to the Secretary at least four weeks before the date of the meeting.

e.     Any other business with the approval of the Chairman.

f.       A Special General Meeting may be called for any purpose by the Apostolic Council. Notice in writing of such meeting shall be sent to all members not less than 7 days before the date therefore and, where practicable, by press advertisement not less than 7 days before the date of such meeting.

g.    The quorum for any general meeting shall not be less than three quarters of the registered Dioceses of the Church.

8.    PROCEDURE AT MEETINGS

(a) At all meetings of the church the spiritual leader, or in his absence, his nominance, or in his absence a Cardinal or a Bishop shall take the chair.

(b)The chairman may at his discretion limit the number of persons permitted to speak in favour of and against any motion.

(c)  Resolutions shall be decided by simple voting by show of hands. In the case of equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

9.    TRUSTEES

(a) All land, building and other immovable property and all investments and securities which shall be acquired in the name of Legion Maria shall be vested on the names of not less than three trustees who (i) shall be members of the church and (ii) shall be appointed by His Peaceful Baba Mtakatifu for a period of three years. On retirement of such trustees and all vacancies occurring by removal, resignation or death shall be filled at the next meeting of the Apostolic Council.

(b)The Trustees shall pay all income received from the property vested in the trustees to the Treasurer. Any expenditure in the respect of such property which in the opinion of the trustees is necessary or desirable shall be reported by the trustees to the Apostolic Council which shall authorize expenditure of such money as it thinks fit.

10.                       AUDITOR

(a) An auditor shall be appointed for the following year by the Annual Meeting. All the church accounts, records and documents shall be open to the inspection of the auditor at any time. The treasurer shall produce an account of this receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities made up to date, which shall be ready in not less than six weeks and not more than three months before the date of the Annual General Meeting. The Auditor shall examine such Annual Accounts and statements and in accordance with the law or report to the church on what respect they have found to be incorrect, unvouched or not in accordance with the law.

(b)A copy of the auditor’s report on the accounts and statements together with such accounts and statements shall be furnished to all members at the same time as the notice convening.

(c)  No auditor shall be an office-bearer of the Apostolic Council of the Church.

11.                       DIOCESES OR ARCH-DIOCESES

(a) A diocese shall be formed of not less than twelve duly appointed priests and baptized followers provided than any such Diocese shall not be formed without due approval of the Apostolic Council.

(b)Each Diocese shall be governed by Diocesan Council which shall be headed by the Reverend Bishop. Other members of the Diocesan Council shall include the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Assistant Treasurer.

(c)  All the members of the Diocese Committee shall be persons who qualify as members under Rule 2 (a) of the constitution and shall be appointed for life by His Peaceful Baba Mtakatifu provided that they or any of them may be removed by the Apostolic Council of Legion Maria by excommunication, for apostasy, heresy or ungodly practices against the faith and canonical order of Legion Maria.

(d)The Diocesan Council shall meet as often as shall be decided upon, and three quarters of members thereof shall form a quorum. The Reverend Bishop or in his absence any member of the Council appointed by him shall chair all meetings. The chairman shall have a casting vote.

(e)            The ordinary Diocesan expenditure shall be met by the Headquarters.

(f)   The main duty of the Diocesan Council shall be to conduct the area in which it is appointed.

12.                       FUNDS

(a) The funds of the Legion Maria may only be used for the following:

a.     Payment of such nominal allowances to the spiritual leader His Peaceful Baba Mtakatifu, His Auxilary Spiritual and other officials of the church in full time duties as the Apostolic Council may deem reasonable.

b.    Donations to such charitable institutions as may be selected by the Apostolic Council.

c.     Purchasing land and building hospitals and schools.

d.    Expenditures incidental in the administration of the Legion Maria.

e.     Such other purposes as the Apostolic Council may from time to time decide.

(b)All money and funds shall be received by the treasurer and shall be deposited by him in the name of Legion Maria in any Bank or Banks approved by the Apostolic Council.

(c)  No payment shall be made out of the Bank account without resolution of the Apostolic Council authorizing such payment and all cheques on such Bank account shall be signed by the treasurer or the administrative secretary and two other members of the Apostolic Council who shall be appointed by his peaceful Baba Mtakatifu.

(d)A sum not exceeding 100/= shillings may be kept by the treasurer for petty disbursements of which proper accounts shall be kept.

13.                       AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

All rules or orders of this church herein contained shall be the rules and orders under which the church shall be governed by and worked and shall take effect on the day they are recognized by the government. No rule shall be altered or added to or rescinded and no new rule shall be except the Apostolic Council in unanimous agreement with the spiritual leader.

14.                       EX-COMMUNICATION

The Apostolic Council may by secret ballot resolve to excommunicate a leader or member of the Legion Maria.

15.                       DISSOLUTION

(a) The Legion Maria shall not be dissolved except by a resolution passed at a meeting of the Apostolic Council by a vote of three quarters of the members present. The quorum at the meeting shall be as shown in rule 6 (h) proposal; if no quorum is obtained the proposal to dissolve the society shall be held after a month, submitted to a further meeting of the Apostolic Council which shall be held a month later. Notice of this meeting shall be given to all members of the Apostolic Council at least 14 days before the date of the meeting.

(b)Provided, however, that no dissolution shall be effect without prior permission in writing of the Registrar obtained upon application to him in writing and signed by the spiritual leader.

(c)  When the dissolution of the Legion Maria has been approved by the Registrar no further actions shall be taken by the Apostolic Council, the Administrative Officers or any of them in connections with the aim of the Legion Maria other than to get in and liquidate for cash all assets of the Legion Maria subject to the payment of all the debts of the Society the balance thereof shall be distributed in such other manner as may be resolved by the meeting at which the resolution for dissolution is passed.

Signed & Stamped:

Rev. Nahashon J.O. Nyakondo

Secretary General, LMAC MISSION

TRIBUTE TO MOTHER SUPERIOR GENERAL, CALARA, AT HER ASCENSION TO GLORY

TRIBUTE FOR MOTHER SUPERIOR GENERAL 

By the Office of Youth Affairs

Date: 20/09/2024

Today, we come together to honour a truly remarkable woman—our beloved Superior Mother General, Clementina Calara Anyango, a shining light chosen by Baba Simeo Melkio Himself. Her wisdom illuminated our paths, and her actions resonated deeply within our hearts.

Mother General Clementina’s profound impact on our youth was nothing short of transformative. With unwavering love and support, she nurtured countless individuals, guiding us to embrace our faith and reach for our dreams. As a mentor, she taught us that true leadership is rooted in compassion and humility. She inspired us to strive for greatness, reminding us that we are capable of extraordinary things when fuelled by faith and community.

Her tireless dedication to service created a sanctuary where every young person felt valued and cherished. Under her guidance, we found strength in our identity and purpose in our actions. The countless prayers she offered and the wisdom she imparted became the bedrock of our growth, shaping us into the leaders of tomorrow.

As we reflect on her legacy, we acknowledge the profound void her passing leaves in our lives. Mother General, your spirit of compassion, unwavering faith, and dedication to uplifting others will forever be etched in our hearts. We will miss your gentle guidance and the warmth of your presence, but we are committed to carrying forward the values you instilled in us.

Thank you, dear Superior Mother General, for being our guiding light on this journey. Your memory will live on in the lives you touched and the love you shared.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Rev. Deacon Prince Johannes

Ag AD Communications and Public Relations, Youth Affairs

Legion Maria Sunday Mass Readings Second Sunday after Pentecost, 2/6/2024

 

Introit

The Lord has become my protector, and he brought me forth into a large place: he saved me, because he was well pleased with me.

Ps: I will love you, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer.

V. Glory …

Collect

Grant us, O Lord, both a constant love and fear of thy Holy name: since you never withdraw your protection from those whom you solidly ground in your love. Through…

(Here at the Collect, at the Secret, and at the Post communion, is made a commemoration of Corpus Christi)

Epistle 1 John 3:13-18

Dearly beloved: Wonder not if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother, is a murderer.  And you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because he has laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. He that has the substance of this world and shall see his brother in need, and shut up his bowels for him: how does the charity of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth.

Gradual

In my trouble I cried to the Lord, and he heard me.

V. O Lord, deliver my soul from the wicked lips and a deceitful tongue. Alleluia.

V. O Lord, my God, in thee have I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. Alleluia.

Gospel (Luke 24: 16-24)

At that time: Jesus spoke this parable to the Pharisees: A certain man made a great supper, and invited many, and he sent his servant at the hour of the supper to say to them that were invited, that they should come, for now all things were ready.  And they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I have bought a farm and must and must go out and see it: I pray thee, hold me excused. And another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them: I pray thee, hold me excused. And another said: I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

And the servant returning told these things to the lord.

Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servant: Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring hither the poor, and the feeble, and the blind, and the lame. And the servant said: Lord, it is done as thou has commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said to the servant: Go out into the highways and hedges; and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. But I say unto you, that none of those men that were invited shall taste of my supper. CREDO

Offertory

Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercy’s sake.

Secret

May this sacrifice offered to thy name purify us, O Lord: and make us every day advance towards a heavenly life. Through …

Communion

I will sing to the lord, who gives me good things: and I will sing to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Post-Communion

Having received, O Lord, this sacred oblation, grant, that by frequenting these mysteries we may hasten our salvation. Through…

Legion Maria Sunday Mass Readings for Trinity Sunday 26/5/2024

Introit

Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided unity. We will praise Him because He hath shown his mercy to us.

Psalm: Lord, our God, how wonderful is thy name in the whole earth.

V. Glory…

Collect of the Trinity

O Almighty and everlasting God, who has granted your servants, in the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of majesty, to adore the unity; we beseech thee that, by the strength of this faith, we may be defended from all adversity. Through…

Collect of the first Sunday after Pentecost

O God, the strength of such hope in thee: mercifully hear us calling on thee, grant us the assistance of thy grace; that in observing thy commandments, we may please thee, both in will and deed. Through…

Epistle (Romans 11:33-36)

O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Or who has first given to him, and recompense shall be made him? For of him, and by him, and in him are all things: to him be the glory forever. Amen.

Gradual

Blessed art thou, O Lord, who beholds the depths, and sits on the cherubim.

V. Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of the heavens, and worthy of praise for ever. Alleluia, Alleluia.

V. Blessed art thou, O God, the God of our fathers, and worthy of praise for ever. Alleluia.

Gospel   (Mathew 28:18-20)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going, therefore, teach all the nations: Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. CREDO

Offertory

Blessed be God the Father, and the only-begotten Son of God, as likewise the Holy Ghost; for he has shown his mercy to us.

Secret (of the Trinity)

Sanctify, we beseech thee, O Lord, our God, by the invocation of thy Holy Name the victim of this oblation: and by it make us an eternal offering to thee. Through…

Secret (of the first Sunday after Pentecost)

Mercifully receive, we beseech thee, O Lord, the sacrifice we offer thee, and grant that it may be a continual help to us. Through…

Communion

We bless the God of heaven, and we will give glory to him in the sight of all that live: because he hath shown his mercy to us.

Post-Communion (of Trinity)

May the receiving of this sacrament, O Lord, our God, avail us to the salvation of body and soul: together with the confession of an everlasting Holy Trinity, and of the undivided unity thereof. Through…

 

Post-Communion (Of first Sunday after Pentecost)

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the great sacrifice of which we have partaken, may avail to us salvation, and make us never cease praising thee. Through…

 

Reflections on the Trinity as Practiced in Legion Maria

The first Sunday after Pentecost, this 26th May 2024, is the Trinity Sunday. On this day, Legion Maria, alongside Western Christendom, commemorate the Trinity. 

The Trinity as understood in our church, Legion Maria of African Church Mission, is still a developing doctrine, though more or less a settled tenet of Christianity. In Legion Maria, the foundations of our beliefs in the Trinity are drawn from the Bible and the church traditions as laid out by the church fathers. However, there are some beliefs that are uniquely Legion.

Bikra Maria Mama and the Trinity

A gradually developing belief in the Legion Maria of African Church Mission is the deity of Mama Maria.

 It is now generally an undeniable fact that every 8 out of 10 members of the faith see Mama Maria not as a saint but as deity--or put more plainly, as God.

 No, she isn't seen as a goddess separate from the Godhead.  But strictly as part and percel of Godhead, and even as the principal being from whom God the Son and God the Holy Spirit unite to in forming the Trinity.

Mama Maria as is known in Legion Maria therefore is radically different from the Virgin Mary of Christendom. Having her foundational doctrines based on the role played by Mary and then on Mariology as developed in Roman Catholic church, the Mary of Legion Maria has become not just the mother figure of the spirituality of Legion Maria, but the originator and source of the faith, the "Father".

With Mama Maria's rise and rise, the Godhead is shifting from being described as Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the sense of the Father being the masculine principle. Instead the Godhead is being described in terms of the First, Second, and Third Principals or Persons. 

In this sense, the First Person being both Masculine and Feminine, the Second Person having Masculine and Feminine Principles, and the Third Person having both Masculine and Feminine Principles. 

So Mama Maria, though incarnate as a female person, revealed with observable feminine principles, is believed to have masculine principles, latent in her physical feminine appearance. Similarly, Baba Messiah, incarnate with observable masculine principles, has unseen or latent feminine principles. Likewise for the Spirit, being revealed observably with masculine and feminine principles. 

Therefore, the Legion Maria contemporary doctrine of the Trinity positions Mama Maria as the First Person of the Godhead, what is called the Father by Western Christendom and Roman Catholic, but who Legion Maria now calls the Mother, though not this blatantly. 

Baba Messiah is the Second Person, the Christ and Logos or the Word, what Western Christendom calls God the Son. Then the third person of the Trinity is still called the Holy Spirit.

So the current, predominant Legion Maria teaching on the Trinity, though not decreed yet by the church, is by practice, The Mother, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Baba Messiah and the Trinity

There is no doubt that the Christ, the Messiah, the Second Person of the Trinity in Legion Maria is Baba Simeo Melkio Messiah.  

This of course has been a long settled tenet of the church since 1964 following the Legion Pentecostal Day that occured at John Baru's home in Suna Migori. During the event, Simeo was declared the Christ, Son of God by the Holy Spirit and Mama Maria declared his mother.

 So while the position of Mama Maria in the Trinity has been a slowly developing area, the position of Simeo Melkio Messiah was settled long ago.

 Of course, there were and still are few members of the church, the minority, who believe him as just the founder and initial leader of the church. 

For instance, the departures of Mercelinus Orongo and Gaudencia Aoko from the faith had a lot more to do with their questioning the position of Simeo Melkio Messiah in the church. 

Likewise, Okello Oketa differed and parted ways with Simeo Melkio Messiah majorly because of the doctrine of christology. Okello rejected and argued against increased adoration and eventual worship of Baba Messiah, with his warnings captured aptly in books such as Legion Maria gi Kukune.

 Nevertheless, these people who left Legion Maria and a few others who are minority members who do not believe the doctrine of the Sonship and Messianism of Simeo Ondeto have their beliefs and practices outweighed and overwhelmed by the majority believers. 

Until his last day on earth, Baba Messiah was and to date occupies the Christ Position in the Legion Maria Trinity.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity 

Reflecting on the Holy Spirit as revealed, experienced and believed in Legion Maria, one finds the biggest departure from the Holy Spirit as is seen in Christendom.

 Here, the Holy Spirit occurs as waves of different wavelengths or energy of different forms; and not merely as the almost homogeneous wave taught in traditional Christianity. 

To break this down, while in traditional Christianity the Holy Spirit is purely the single/one spirit of an abstract God, in Legion Maria it is a mix of different holy spirits, with saints and persons of the Godhead all experienced in their spiritual nature as that spirit.

 So whereas the First Person of the Godhead, often seen and experienced in the feminine Mama Maria, and the Second Person of the Godhead, Baba Messiah, can both come, work, and speak through the Holy Spirit, other persons, typically saints and angels also descend, work, act, and speak via the Spirit. 

This clearly shows that the Spirit as seen in Legion Maria is not limited to the Godhead, but the Holy Spirit encompasses both the Godhead and all those who have been glorified by the Godhead.

The Trinity is a steadily developing doctrine in Legion Maria.  As more members reflect on this practice, it will become more refined and perhaps become an area of clear Apostolic Council decree and teaching. 

For now, as we mark this year's Trinity Sunday, let us take time to reflect on our trinitarian ideas, particularly as we practice it in our worship. 

Happy Trinity Sunday to all. Baba and Mama bless you all.