Shrines

Foundation

The idea to start a shrine at Namanga was came to light on 1st of December 2021. As a result, 2 Assumptionist Fathers Wilson Waweru and Jean-Bosco Paluku were assigned to the mission. They are stationed in St. Paul’s Parish Namanga, a 2km distance from the shrine. They also offer valuable service to the parish and the Diocese

At first, the idea to establish a shrine in the arid mountains of Namanga seemed a kind of exploration. Indeed, on 3rd January 2022 Bishop John Oballa Owaa confirmed this idea by stating that let us ‘explore this together;’ meaning the Augustinians of the Assumption and the Catholic Diocese of Ngong. To start off, the Bishop blessed the site by dedicating the shrine as fountain of love due to the fountain of water there that is shared by Kenyans and Tanzanians as a bond of love.

Thus the shrine is a joint partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Ngong. Augustinians of the Assumption are working in communion with the universal Church to share in the mission, vision, and challenges facing God’s people. So far, the diocese has done the procurement of land for the shrine from the forest department through a lease agreement.

Since this is an exploration, the Bishop has granted a free hand to shape the shrine through the application of the unique Assumptionist charism, spirituality, taste, approach and stamp basing himself on the fact that ‘various charisms are reflected through different apostolates.’ Thus, the Assumptionist charism must shine through this. In this case, the Augustinians have the independence to work but not autonomy to exclude the diocese from the running of the shrine.

Today the fathers are working hand in hand with the Diocesan Shrine committee. Through this committee the Diocese of Ngong has been supporting financially the construction of various facilities like the cross, the pathways and the toilets.

History

The shrine is erected on Mt. Orok, at Namanga Kenya, just 2.5km from Kenya-Tanzania border. The mountain is shared between Kenya and Tanzania, with 90 per cent of it in Kenya. In Masai Ork means black, in fact from a distance the mountain appears black. Long ago, Mt. Orok was a place of prayer for Masai Morans. It is also said that Masai morans used to rest on this mountain on their way to Tanzania to steal livestock. It is said they used to offer prayers to God for the success of their mission. Still other traditions say the Mau Mau used this mountain in their fight for independence from the British. They would pray here and gather food.

The mountain was also used by the British during the 2nd World war with the Germans who were in Tanzania. The germans were stationed on Longido mountain in Tanzania, just 10km away.

It is a beautiful mountain endowed with water which serves Kenya and Tanzania. It has been a place of rest for the masai in their journeys herding livestock. They would slaughter animals, to gain strength and plan journeys.

Objectives

Objectives

At the core of this collaboration between the Assumptionists and the Catholic Diocese of Ngong in the establishment of the Shrine is the working together to spread God’s Kingdom in the world. In this case,

The shrine must reflect the presence of the Kingdom of God. In other words, this is God’s work and should help people meet God in a new way.
The shrine should shape the identity of the people of God. In other words, it has to be shaped in a way that corresponds with the needs of the people of God in our times. The Assumptionists and the diocese are men of their times.
The shrine is committed to reclaim the prominence of ancient Masai shrines, but with alignment to the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.

Goals

We desire to dedicate to and use this shrine to establish the Kingdom of God in this seemingly forgotten land. In this case;

Considering that the site was traditionally used by the Maasai for traditional prayers, we will dialogue with African Traditional Religions. In other words, it is a milieu in which we will engage traditional religion which is still widely practiced in this area in a kind of dialogue for purposes of cultural adjustments and ultimately conversion and development. In any case, Christianity is a tool not only for conversion but development. Thus, the site calls us to openness to Maasai culture so we can attract them to dialogue.
Considering that there have been reports of protestant Christians visiting the site for prayer, the shrine can broaden ecumenism and dialogue with other Christian churches
This being a forest, we’ll use the laudato si principles for purposes of reclaiming, protecting, and conserving nature for the glory of God and the spiritual care of Christians.
The shrine should lead eager Christians to a deeper experience of faith.

Finances

Pilgrims to be encouraged to give;
Promotions, mobilization and fundraising in different parishes and dioceses;
Funding from the Ngong Catholic Diocese;
Different funding agencies

Pilgrimages

2023: Pilgrims were few in number, 133 in total. Parts of the reason is that the pathways to the shrine were not ready.

2024: From June, a total of 818 pilgrims have so far visited the shrine, comprising the youth, the old, men and women. On 14th October 2024, 28 religious men and women came from Arusha. Younib pilgrims visited on 12th October 2024. We are expecting their return and visits from others.