For the past eight years, Fr. James Righa’s priestly anniversaries have been bittersweet—a constant reminder of his beloved mother whom he lost just months before his ordination. And for the last four years, his birthday has been a sombre occasion, overshadowed by the memory of his father’s death on the same date.
“It’s something I’ve never fully accepted, and it has deeply disturbed me,” Fr. Righa shares candidly. “On my birthdays, I lock myself in my room, weep, and cry, remembering my parents,” he adds.
This year, however, was different. For the first time, the priest from Kenya’s Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa embraced his birthday with a sense of healing—a transformation he attributes to his participation in the 23rd Session of the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program, which concluded on December 6, 2024.
“After sharing, processing, and receiving counselling, I now feel okay, I’m healed. I celebrated my birthday last month,” says Fr. Righa, reflecting on his wellbeing after participating in the Program, which focuses on the ongoing formation and renewal of priests, religious men, and women from across the world.
He credits the Program’s growth facilitation, which offers personalized sessions to support each participant on their growth journey, for helping him openly share his pain and begin the healing process. “For the first time, I was open, even sharing with others. This time, I didn’t break down as I used to,” he adds.
Ordained on February 6, 2016, the Kenyan Priest has spent much of his ministry in Kenya’s South Coast, near the border with Tanzania. The demanding schedule that characterised his ministry left him burned out after four years of working without annual leave.
“I found myself completely drained. I needed rest,” he reflects. When his Archbishop suggested a sabbatical, Fr. Righa welcomed the opportunity to recharge and renew through the four-month residential program he now describes as “instrumental” in his journey of healing.
“During the first month, just resting, I felt a change even in my body. I didn’t realize how much I needed that rest,” he recalls. Remarkably, the peace of mind he found also restored his ability to dream—something he hadn’t experienced for four years due to fatigue.
A Bond That Sparked a Vocation
But priesthood wasn’t always part of Fr. Righa’s vision for his life. Growing up in Kenya’s coastal region, he never imagined becoming a priest. It wasn’t until he met a charismatic priest and two seminarians at his parish after high school that the idea of priesthood began to take root in his heart.
He recalls the priest, whom he describes as “jovial” and “down to earth,” traveling across the expansive region to proclaim the Good News—often without a car, yet never deterred. He was always accompanied by two seminarians, whom Fr. Righa admired greatly. Over time, he formed a close bond with the trio and often accompanied them for Mass.
“That bond with the seminarians and the priest really drew me to the priesthood; its the genesis of my calling,” the he reflects.
His admiration for the priesthood deepened when he witnessed the respect and warm reception his father, a teacher with a strong sense of discipline, gave to the seminarians when they escorted him home after a long day that extended into the night. “How he welcomed them without any issue was truly inspiring. I thought things could be bad,” he recalls.
Over time, the priest became a mentor, patiently answering Fr. Righa’s many questions about the priesthood and encouraging his growing aspirations. Eventually, at the priest’s encouragement, Fr. Righa joined the altar servers, taking the first step toward nurturing his vocation.
His journey took a humorous twist when, during a Sunday Mass, the priest unexpectedly announced that two parishioners—including Fr. Righa and his mischievous best friend and former classmate—were headed to the seminary. “We all laughed. Even the congregation was doubtful of our commitment because we were known for being mischievous,” he recalls with a chuckle.
As he prepared to depart for the requisite “Come and See” program, Fr. Righa shared his plans with his family. While his father initially remained skeptical, a thanksgiving Mass a year later as he headed for the seminary marked a turning point.
“That day, my dad wept and hugged me. He said, ‘My son, now I believe you are serious about priesthood,’” Fr. Righa recalls.
Now, eight years into his ministry, Fr. Righa views the sabbatical as a pivotal moment, not just for rest, but also for healing deeply rooted wounds—the grief of losing his parents, the unspoken traumas of ministry and personal life, and the weariness of burnout. “You realize there are so many traumas and injuries you carry, both personally and in ministry. The program helped me heal those,” he reflects.
With a renewed spirit, Fr. Righa is eager to return to his ministry, carrying forward the lessons of healing and rest. He hopes more priests and religious men and women will have the opportunity to experience what he calls a life-changing journey.
“I wish all priests and religious could come for this Program. It’s been transformative,” he says, reflecting on the deep impact the sabbatical had on his healing and spiritual renewal.
