The Chapel of Hekima University College (HUC) was filled with joy, gratitude, and quiet solemnity on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, as Fr Norbert Litoing, SJ., pronounced his Final Vows in the Society of Jesus, marking the culmination of a long journey of formation, discernment, and faithful service.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Kizito Kiyimba, SJ., Provincial of the Jesuits in Eastern Africa, with Fr Emmanuel Foro, SJ., Rector of the Hekima Jesuit Community, among the concelebrants. The vows were received on behalf of the Superior General, Fr Arturo Sosa, SJ. Although Fr José Minaku, SJ., had been designated to receive the vows, his absence due to official commitments led to Fr Kiyimba, assuming this role, an occasion noted with light-hearted humour as a source of “envy” among the two superiors, including Fr Litoing’s Provincial in Cameroon and Fr Minaku himself. Fr Kiyimba similarly remarked that Fr Litoing’s choice of Nairobi as the place for his Final Vows had made the city “the envy” of many who were unable to attend due to other commitments.
The homily, delivered by Fr Winfrid Okambwa, SJ., offered both warmth and depth, drawing the congregation into the meaning of Jesuit vocation. Beginning on a light note, he observed that “to survive even one week with the Jesuits is a miracle,” before turning to the First Reading and reflecting on the figure of King Ahaz. He challenged the understanding of religious life as a visible “sign” sustained by certainty, emphasizing instead that vocation rests on trust rather than guarantees. As he put it, “There is no guarantee, from the Society of Jesus nor from yourself. The only guarantee is trust… trust in your word and in the Word of God.” Through a vivid anecdote of a Jesuit candidate who refused to offer any guarantee of perseverance, he illustrated that the depth of commitment in religious life lies not in assurances but in faith. Extending this reflection to all vocations, he noted that even in marriage there are no guarantees beyond mutual trust. At the heart of his message was the sign of Emmanuel; God with us, not only in moments of joy, but especially in times of uncertainty and trial. Addressing Fr Litoing directly, he affirmed that God has accompanied him throughout his journey and will continue to do so, reminding him that his vocation, like the vows he professed, is both a gift and a mystery sustained by grace.
A particularly moving moment of the celebration was the unexpected presence of Fr Litoing’s family. His brother and sister travelled from Cameroon and Canada, arriving just a day before the ceremony without his knowledge, a gesture that brought deep emotion and underscored the human and familial dimension of the vocation being celebrated.
Jesuits from Mwangaza, Loyola House, and other communities were in attendance, joined by members of the Cameroonian community in Kenya, the Pauline Sisters, the HUC community, and many friends and collaborators. The liturgy was animated by the HUC Choir, whose inclusion of native Cameroonian hymns enriched the celebration with a vibrant cultural and spiritual expression.
In a tribute shared by Camille Mukoso, SJ., during the celebration, Fr Litoing was described as “a life of presence, prayer, and mission,” a man whose characteristic silence is not an absence but a space of encounter. His companions spoke of him as a brother, a priest, a teacher, and a bridge-builder—one whose intellectual depth is matched by humility, and whose commitment to interreligious dialogue reflects a deep desire not to impose, but to understand and to bring people together. His academic journey, which has taken him from Kinshasa and Nairobi to the United Kingdom and the United States, has consistently been placed at the service of mission rather than personal distinction.
Fr Marcel Uwineza, SJ., Principal of Hekima University College and a companion since their novitiate in Notre Dame de la Route in Cyangugu, Rwanda, recalled their shared beginnings and the quiet fidelity that has marked Fr Litoing’s path over the years. He spoke of a man attentive to others, steady in times of difficulty, and deeply rooted in God—one whose life speaks more through simplicity and presence than through words.
Born on 28 January 1981 in Bertoua, Cameroon, Fr Norbert Litoing entered the Society of Jesus in 2002. His formation has taken him across several countries and ministries, from philosophical studies in Kinshasa and regency in Senegal to theological formation at Hekima and advanced studies in Islamic and comparative theology. Ordained a priest in 2013, he has devoted his ministry to both pastoral and intellectual apostolates, particularly in the field of interreligious dialogue. He currently serves on the formation team and faculty at Hekima University College and is the founding director of the Center for Interfaith Studies in Africa (CISA) and Interim Director of JHIA.
The Final Vows mark full incorporation into the Society of Jesus, a definitive commitment to its mission under the obedience of the Superior General. For Fr Litoing, this moment stands as a public affirmation of a life already deeply lived in fidelity, humility, and service.
By the Editorial Team – JHIA
