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Rt. Rev. Joseph Mwongela, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui, has called on the faithful to come together in prayer and unity during this year’s National Catholic Prayer Day, set to take place at the Subukia National Marian Shrine in Nakuru County on Saturday, 4th October 2025.
Addressing the Lower Eastern digital media from his office in Kitui town, Bishop Mwongela, who also serves as the chairman of the Lay Apostolate in Kenya, extended a warm invitation to all Catholics across the country to attend the annual event, which is held every first Saturday of October.
“This year’s theme will address the grievances and challenges faced by the public in different sectors of our nation,” Bishop Mwongela said. “The faithful will find Subukia a renewed place of hope, where they can come together, each one praying for themselves, their families, and our country.”
Highlighting the significance of the gathering, the Bishop noted that the prayer day coincides with the Church’s celebration of the Year of Jubilee and Hope, a season dedicated to spiritual renewal, reconciliation, and unity among Kenyans. He emphasized that prayer is central to building peace, healing divisions, and guiding the country towards development and harmony.
“As a people, we are called to hope and to work together to renew our nation,” Bishop Mwongela added.
He further urged pilgrims travelling to Subukia to exercise caution on the roads, noting that thousands of worshippers are expected to attend the pilgrimage.
The Subukia National Marian Shrine, often referred to as the National Spiritual Home of Catholics, has for years served as a unifying ground for the faithful from all corners of Kenya. The shrine attracts not only local pilgrims but also international visitors who gather to pray for personal intentions, family wellbeing, peace in the nation, and global stability.
Every year, the event brings together clergy, religious men and women, lay faithful, and Catholic movements, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in Kenya. The day is marked by processions, Holy Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and intercessory prayers for the nation.
This year’s National Prayer Day is expected to draw an even larger congregation, as Catholics mark the Jubilee year under the theme of “Hope and Renewal.”
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