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Sponsor a Future Vincentian Priest or Brother
The Kenya Mission began in 1981, but took a turn in 1999 when the Midwest Province opened DePaul Centre Formation House to form future Vincentian priests and brothers.
- DePaul Centre Formation House is currently home to 40 seminarians.
- 7 East Africans have been ordained Vincentian priests.
As we grow, your help is needed even more.
We need your partnership.
The cost to educate a seminarian includes:
- Room and board, food and medical assistance.
- Tuition and fees, books and supplies.
- Internships, retreats, and transportation to pastoral sites.
- With a gift/pledge of $2450 you can fully sponsor a future Vincentian in Kenya.
- A gift/pledge of $1000 will pay for the tuition of a future Vincentian.
- A $500 gift/pledge will cover retreats, books and supplies.
Your gift will:
- Touch the lives of the poor in Kenya who
are served by these Vincentians through
their pastoral ministry. - Give you personal satisfaction of knowing
you helped to educate a Vincentian.
This future Vincentian will contact you throughout the year keeping you updated on his education and formation.
Thank you for your support in evangelizing the poor in the spirit and after the manner of St. Vincent de Paul.
Meet One Of Our Kenyan Seminarians
Francis Kamau Wanderi
Francis Kamau Wanderi is my name. I am 28 years old. I am a Kenyan of the Kiambu District of the Central Province. People in this province usually double as farmers and traders. It is near the capital of Nairobi which makes it easier for people to travel and sell their produce to a larger market. The Central Province is predominately home to the Kikuyu tribe, one of largest in the country. I am from a family of seven brothers and two sisters. I come eighth in that line-up. My father died in 1995. Each one of my brothers is married and they all have children. My sisters have remained unmarried. They have all ventured into the business field and work very hard at it. My mother is in her late sixties and is taken good care of by my family. I am a first year student of Theology. I completed my Novitiate last year and am in the Admitted Members program of the Vincentian DePaul Centre in Nairobi. I was attracted to the Congregation of the Mission by their vocation of following Christ evangelizing the poor. It seems to me to be the best way to follow Jesus. I am also encouraged by the hospitality of the Vincentians and their great sense of community life. These are values I continue to cherish and one day hope to share in as a Vincentian priest.
Here is an Update on our Seminarian:
Francis Kamau Wanderi is 28 years old from the Central Province of Kenya. People in this province usually double as farmers and traders. It is near the capital of Nairobi which makes it easier for people to travel and sell their produce to a larger market.
He is doing fine as an Admitted Student. He has faithfully adhered to the life of a Vincentian student having made his Good Purposes more than one year ago. Following his first year of theological studies, he made a six week pastoral experience at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kaplong, Kenya. The parish is located in the Diocese of Kericho in the Western reaches of the country. While there, Francis worked with Small Christian Communities, youth groups, the sick and elderly, gave pastoral instructions in local primary schools, and assisted the parish priests in sacramental duties. His supervisor, the father-in-charge, was very pleased with Francis and indicated he has much to offer the church in his vocation.
After the pastoral assignment, Francis went to visit his family at home for one month during the Long Break vacation. His mother is still living and is cared for by his seven brothers and two sisters.
At the beginning of August, Francis returned to DePaul Centre for the annual beginning of the academic year retreat. For six days he and the rest of the student body enjoyed a directed retreat given by Vincentian Father Paul Roche, C.M., the Vice-Visitor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius of the Ukraine. Upon completion of the retreat, Francis registered for his second year of theological studies at Tangaza College here in Nairobi. He is an excellent student, scoring in the upper tier of his class. He looks forward to continuing his studies as it puts him closer to the day when he may minister as a priest in the Congregation of the Mission.
For more information, please contact:
Congregation of the Mission Western Province
Ms. Teresa R. Manna
Director of Development
13663 Rider Trail North
Earth City, MO 63045-1512
314-344-1184
314-344-2989 Fax
Contact the Director of Development
