Daughters of St Paul Mark 50 Years of Mission and Media Evangelization in Kenya
The Daughters of St Paul have officially launched year long celebrations to mark 50 years of their missionary presence in Kenya, beginning with a solemn Eucharistic celebration at Consolata Shrine in Westlands, Nairobi. The golden jubilee Mass on 15 February 2026 was led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi and concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Elect of Kisumu Archdiocese Fr Vincent Ouma Odundo, alongside numerous clergy, religious, and lay faithful.
The anniversary commemorates the arrival of the first Pauline Sisters in Kenya on 15 February 1976. At the invitation of Maurice Cardinal Otunga, the congregation established its foundation in Nairobi to manage the diocesan book centre, which had previously been overseen by the Holy Ghost Fathers. The pioneering sisters Damiana Gueresi, Daniela Barone, and Beatrice Salvioni began what would become five decades of evangelization through media and publications.
In his homily for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr Vincent Ouma Odundo reflected on the centrality of God’s Word in Christian life. He reminded the faithful that divine commandments are not burdens but pathways to salvation. He praised the Daughters of St Paul for their sustained commitment to spreading the Gospel through books, catechetical materials, and other forms of communication that help believers read, love, and live the Word of God. He described their continued presence in Kenya as a sign of God’s grace working through the Church.
Archbishop Philip Anyolo addressed the congregation by recalling the faithfulness of God throughout the congregation’s journey. He encouraged the sisters to renew their missionary zeal, drawing inspiration from the conversion of St Paul on the road to Damascus. The Archbishop emphasized that authentic evangelization flows from personal encounter with Christ and must remain rooted in solidarity with the people served. He urged the sisters to continue presenting Christ through their apostolate in the media, ensuring that communication remains closely connected to lived faith and pastoral care.
During the celebration, Sr Janet Angala, Provincial Superior of Eastern Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, expressed gratitude for the congregation’s journey over the past five decades. She acknowledged both the challenges and the blessings experienced since the foundation in 1976 and paid tribute to the congregation’s founder and the early missionaries who laid the groundwork for the mission in Kenya. She also remembered Maurice Cardinal Otunga as a key figure whose encouragement played a decisive role in establishing the Pauline presence in the country.
The jubilee year will include spiritual and pastoral initiatives designed to highlight the charism of the Daughters of St Paul, whose mission centers on evangelization through communication. Over the past fifty years, their publishing and media apostolate has contributed significantly to Catholic formation in Kenya, providing resources for parishes, schools, and families. The ongoing celebrations aim to reaffirm their commitment to proclaiming Christ in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
