Church welcomes Valentines Day with unique celebration

On the eve of Saint Valentine’s Day, a trail of paper lanterns marked the way to the gardens, the narrow path opening up to venue for the celebrations. Tables set for two, the decor proclaiming that this was the day for a celebration of love, a unique evening organised by the Nkoroi Catholic Parish for worshippers, on its church grounds in Ong’ata Rongai.

“We are celebrating Valentine’s Day to show love, the young and the old celebrating the love,” said a church leader.

They took their places in pairs, newly-married couples exchanging sweet words across the table, friends, celebrating their friendships and in some cases family members reconnecting over the holiday; Valentine ’s Day more meaningful now that they were celebrating it in church.

“It is special to us because we took our vows in church and now we are celebrating in church,” a couple told Citizen Digital.

This was the fifth year since the church launched the unique event marked with merry-making and servings of food, causing those who attended to declare: “We’ve really enjoyed ourselves! It’s been fantastic!” as they danced the night away.

Members of the flying squad also took a day off from their busy duties of fighting criminals to spend the day at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital where they shared the love with the children admitted there.