St. Joseph Church The church building is newly constructed and innovative. It makes use of African images and forms, such as traditional shield-shaped doors (the church’s fencing made use of a similar outline), and kind of organically structured curved joist beams that draw you into the church and upward toward the sanctuary. The cumulative effect is impressive and inspiring.
Shield-shaped doors
Interior of Church
The wedding was wonderful and accompanied by lots of shouting, warbling (African women can produce this amazing undulating sound from their throats to express joy and excitement), swaying and dancing. The choir was incredible, and sang typical African polyphonic hymns. And yet for all this, the liturgy was solemn, dignified, prayerful and deeply moving. The celebration continued with a large reception with local Kenyan cuisine, and again singing, dancing and lots of speeches and well-wishing from almost every group associated with the bride and groom you can imagine.
The bridal party
Choir
Altar servers What was really most striking to me, though, was the evident priority of faith in the lives of this young couple, their families and their friends. What mattered most to them was the Sacrament of Matrimony, and many of the well wishers expressed the desire for God’s blessing, life-long fidelity, mutual understanding and forbearance, an abundance of children and a household permeated by the values of the Gospel. One of the CL consecrated laymen commented to me as we sat at the reception, "It's Jesus and the family that will save Africa, not all the programs and projects." That's very true, and not just for Africa.
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