By Basil Serrao 

Feb 3, 2024: Nairobi's small Konkani Catholic community witnessed a historic event as the first full Konkani Mass was celebrated in the heart of Kenya's capital. 

The event brought together the Konkani community residing in Nairobi and beyond. The Konkani community, hailing originally from the Konkan coast of India, has a small presence in Kenya and has come together under the umbrella of a social grouping called Kanara Konkani Catholics of Nairobi, coming together for religious and cultural events which keep them connected to their roots. 

The mass, conducted entirely in Konkani, at St Jude’s Chapel, Nairobi, resonated with hymns, prayers, and rituals deeply with an atmosphere of reverence and joy, as they came together to commemorate their shared beliefs and heritage. 

Father Peddy Castelino SVD, parish priest of Divine Word Catholic Parish, Nairobi, the presiding priest, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the historic celebration, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural identity. He was instrumental in encouraging the members to plan for a full Mass in Konkani. 

Fr Peter Pinto SVD, assistant parish priest, Holy Spirit Parish-Eldoret was one of the concelebrants who delivered a beautiful homily in ‘Aput’ Konkani. 

The occasion was also a time for thanksgiving for the golden birthday celebration of Fr Peddy Castelino (main celebrant) and Fr Francis Rodrigues SJ, another concelebrant, while wishing Fr Peddy on his golden birthday, extolled virtues, sacrifices, and achievements of Fr Peddy in East Africa for the last 22 plus years. 

Energy and enthusiasm from the members were evident right from the planning stages of the mass with each and every one contributing in terms of preparation for hymns, readings, prayers. 

Praveen D’Souza, a member, not only assisted in choosing the Hymns but, along with Lavina Castelino, one of our guests, led us in singing during the mass. 

Lavina Castelino, Veronica Serrao, and Molly Crasta assisted in the proclamation of the word, and Michael Sequeira chairperson of the community led us in the prayers of the faithful. 

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Basil Serrao, a member of the organizing committee, expressed his joy at witnessing the fruition of long-held aspirations and expressed gratitude to all the celebrants and members for their support in making the event a grand success. 

It was also noted that going forward, the Konkani Mass will be celebrated once on the last Saturday of every month. 

To commemorate the event and to celebrate the golden birthday, the members shared a meal at a get-together.