Published on 2026-01-26 08:15:01
I am Auma John Omondi, born on 29th September 1998 in Kawese Village, Mayenya Sub-Location, Kolwa East Location, Kisumu East Sub-County, Kisumu County. I am the son of Boniface Auma Nyumba, a retired primary school teacher and disciplinarian, and Benter Akinyi Auma, a small-scale farmer. My parents are married in the Church and are faithful Catholics. I am the fourth born in a family of six children, consisting of four boys and two girls. I come from a humble, communal background where values such as hard work, discipline, unity, and responsibility were instilled in us from an early age
My journey of faith began in infancy. I was baptized on 27th February 1999, and my godfather is Augustine Ouma. I began catechesis in 2007 and received my First Holy Communion on 15th August 2008, followed by Confirmation on 17th August 2008, administered by Emeritus Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth. These sacraments laid a strong spiritual foundation in my life. In 2010, I became a mass server, though I later withdrew due to challenges. However, I resumed active service in high school, where I served as a YCS Assistant Chairperson and Liturgist. During my university years, I continued my involvement in the Church as a Jumuiya Liturgist and Chairperson, and as a leader in the Divine Mercy movement.
My vocation journey was gradual and at times inconsistent during my childhood. What initially attracted me was the reverence of the Mass, especially the way the priest carried and handled the chalice. After completing high school, I felt drawn to religious life and considered joining the Consolata Missionaries or the Apostles of Jesus. However, upon consulting my father, he advised me to first pursue university studies to gain wider exposure and maturity. I accepted his guidance and joined Kibabii University in 2017 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (Statistics option).
University life exposed me to new freedoms and challenges. Due to peer influence, I briefly lost focus and engaged in alcohol consumption. However, through deep self-reflection and a crucial conversation with my father, I realized that this lifestyle was not aligned with my values or future. I made a firm decision to stop drinking completely and recommitted myself to my Catholic faith. Although this decision cost me some friendships, it strengthened my character and conviction. I became actively involved in Catholic leadership within the university community. Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, I successfully graduated on 25th March 2022 with Second Class Honors (Upper Division).
After graduation, my vocation desire was rekindled when I attended the ordination of a Comboni priest in my diocese. This experience reignited my missionary zeal and inspired me to reach out to the Comboni Missionaries’ vocation director. I attended the Come and See program in May 2022, after which I was admitted to the Pre-Postulancy in September 2022. In May 2023, I underwent in-house experience and introduction to postulancy, and later officially joined the Postulancy on 5th August 2023, where I continue to discern my vocation.
Throughout my formation journey, I have grown significantly in the human, spiritual, intellectual, and community dimensions. I am increasingly drawn to the charism of the Comboni Missionaries, especially their commitment to serving the most abandoned and marginalized without boundaries. Their simplicity, missionary zeal, and dedication to pastoral service continue to inspire and strengthen my desire to offer my life in service of the Gospel.
In conclusion, my vocation journey has been shaped by family, faith, personal struggles, and grace. Through prayer, formation, and lived experience, I continue to discern God’s will with openness and commitment, trusting that He who has begun this good work in me will bring it to completion.