On Friday 16th of December at 2.30 pm a large crowd of faithful gathered in Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi to pray for the repose of the soul of Bishop Javier Echevarria, prelate of Opus Dei, who has died in Rome the previous Monday.
Bishop Anthony Muheria, of Kitui diocese and administrator of Machakos, Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Lodwar, and Fr. Silvano Ochuodho, regional vicar of Opus Dei in East Africa were the main celebrants. They were also accompanied by another 16 priests, some of whom had come from as far as Kisumu to be present in this Mass.
At the end of the Mass Bishop Muheria passed on the greetings of Cardinal Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi, who apologized for not been able to attend but he expressed his closeness to the people present. The Chairman of the Episcopal Conference, Bishop Anyolo of Homa Bay, and many other bishops also sent messages of condolence.
In the homily Fr. Silvano encouraged us to give thanks to God for the faithful life of Bishop Javier, while we also pray for the repose of his soul, which is always an important duty of justice and charity.
Other masses were celebrated in Kisumu, Kampala, Dar es Salam as many people wanted to have a chance to pray in a special way for this Bishop who helped them so much as they struggle in the daily battles of ordinary life.