Who We Are?
We are the Passionist Missionaries, a Roman Catholic religious congregation of priests and brothers dedicated to one singular mission: keeping alive the memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Founded by St. Paul of the Cross in 1720, our community in Kenya—organized as the St. Charles Lwanga Vice-Province—is a vibrant family of consecrated men who believe that the Cross is the ultimate sign of God’s overwhelming love for humanity.
In Kenya, we are more than just a religious order; we are companions to the suffering and witnesses to hope. From our central presence in Nairobi (Karen/Lang’ata) to our missions in Mombasa Arch-Diocese, Kisumu Arch-Diocese, Nakuru Diocese, Kericho Diocese, Murang’a Diocese, Homabay Diocese, and Ngong Diocese, we live in community, rooted in prayer and dedicated to the "crucifieds" of today.
Our Mission
Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of the Passion through our lives, our words, and our service. We take a unique fourth vow: to promote the memory of the Passion of Jesus in the hearts of the faithful.
To Evangelize: Preaching retreats, missions, and the Word of God to renew faith.
To Accompany: Standing with those who suffer—the poor, the sick, and the marginalized—whom we recognize as the living "crucified" members of Christ’s body.
To Teach: Helping people find meaning in their own suffering through the lens of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.
To Nurture: Providing spaces of spiritual renewal through our retreat centers and pastoral care in our various parishes.
Our Story
The story of the Passionists in Kenya is a journey of radical love that began with a desire to bring the charism of St. Paul of the Cross to East African soil. Following the footsteps of pioneer missionaries, we established deep roots in Kenya, eventually forming the St. Charles Lwanga Vice-Province, named after the brave martyr of Uganda who exemplifies the ultimate sacrifice for the faith.
Our "Passion" is not just a historical event we remember; it is a living reality. We began our journey in Kenya by serving rural communities and urban centers, building not just structures, but spiritual homes. Over the decades, our presence has grown into a diverse network of ministries:
Retreat Ministry: Our retreat centers in Nairobi-Karen and Homabay-Karungu serve as spiritual oases for those seeking to "come away and rest" with the Lord.
Parish Apostolate: In places like Nyalenda (Kisumu), Longisa (Kericho), and Turi (Nakuru), our priests and brothers work tirelessly to build strong, self-sustaining Christian communities.
Education & Formation: We invest deeply in the future of the Church through our formation programs, forming young Kenyan men to be the next generation of Passionists Missionaries.
Today, the Passionists Fathers and Brothers in Kenya continue to look toward the future with hope, ever mindful of our founder's words: "The Passion of Jesus is the greatest and most stupendous work of divine love."
