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Father Joseph Otieno Sijenyi (1974-2005) PDF Print E-mail
Written by Various   
Monday, 23 October 2006
Father Joseph was born on May 11, 1974 at Nairobi (Kenya) the son of Jonathan Sijenyi Ong’ango and Christine Atieno Omoga. He entered our Congregation in 1993 and made his religious profession in 1997. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2001. After studying Italian for a few months he left for Korea in 2003. He managed to overcome the linguistic difficulties that confront everyone in Korea and threw himself into new and difficult missionary situation in that country with great passion.
He was always ready and available for anything he was asked to do. He was simple, generous and possessed a faith without equal. He displayed great serenity and was able to create an atmosphere of peace in whatever situation or company he found himself. He loved this people and was willing to do whatever he was asked.
In the end Father Joseph was working at our house in Guryong, a community in an area of urban poverty. He helped in the parishes on weekends and was loved by all. Evidence of this was the great confluence of individuals, friends and benefactors who came to pay their respects before his funeral.
On December 18, 2005, he took part in a charity marathon run and at this time the Lord called him home. On his tombstone there is an image of Our Lady, the Consolata and the words of Our Lord: “If the grain of wheat …” We pray that Joseph’s death will produce fruits of sanctity and missionary success in Korea, this beloved country.

Father Álvaro Pacheco


“If the grain of wheat …”

“The Lord intervenes in our history, often in unexpected ways that surprise us …” Father Eugenio was saying this to a group of university student catechumens when the Lord really did it. At that very moment there was a telephone call telling us of the death of Father Joseph Otieno, a 31-year old Kenyan. He had collapsed during a marathon run in Seoul and later died in the ambulance taking him to the hospital.
Upset, disbelief, shock … How was it possible? Joseph was an athlete. Since last summer he had been enrolled in the Seoul Synergy Running Club and was in great shape. He had taken advantage of a free day – December 18 – a Sunday without parish commitments to join his club mates in running the marathon for charity …
We rushed to the Sadang Hospital still not quite believing what had happened. But we saw it with our own eyes – Joseph was there … grief overcame our disbelief. We wept.
Then there was a rush of events, things to handle one at a time: police, autopsy, inform his family and the Congregation, organize the wake, begin preparations for the funeral …
On Monday, December 19, Father Joseph’s body was taken to Holy Family Hospital near our house. The wake was held there.
From early afternoon there was a continual procession of lay people, religious and people who had known Father Joseph. For two days before the funeral Mass we heard the sing-song refrain Catholics use in Korea to mark a death. Our whole community was involved, students and the ladies of the Friends of the Consolata Missionaries Group who were truly supportive and helpful.
The funeral was giving rise to various complications. We needed permission from the Kenyan embassy which could possibly be late. We celebrated the funeral Mass on Wednesday, December 21, but were well aware that we may have to bring the body back to the hospital and wait for burial.
At 10 AM our parish church in Yokkok-dong was full – some 400 to 500 people and another twenty concelebrants. We sought comfort in the Word of God as we moved from disbelief, to sorrow and then anger at this tragedy. Finally we realized that nothing could separate us from the love of God revealed in Jesus. We saw Joseph’s death as the grain of wheat which falls to the ground to bear fruit. Yes, Lord: Joseph’s life was given for the missions, for Korea, for our brothers and sisters in this country; his death was the ultimate sacrifice which will surely bear fruit.
We were still waiting for permission to bury Joseph from the Kenyan embassy. We then learned that the permission had already arrived but through a series of contretemps no one had informed us. We learned of the permission on January 4.
We began immediately to organize our final service to our brother Joseph: giving him a decent burial. The funeral Mass was celebrated at 9 AM on January 6, Friday, in the hospital’s great conference hall. (In Korea this is not the feast of the Epiphany).
The Bishop of Inchon, Msgr. Choi Ki-san Boniface presided at the Mass. He reminded everyone present (some 250 people) that the first Korean priest, Kim Dae-gon Andrew, also died young and Jesus himself died at the age of 33. With this death the Lord is telling all of us to be ready and to strive for holiness.
The funeral procession moved from the hospital to the Catholic cemetery of the diocese of Inchon where Joseph was buried in the section reserved for priests and religious. This final farewell was a moment of intense emotion.
Joseph, rest in the Lord’s peace and pray for us in heaven that we may carry on with the mission in which you were so enthusiastically engaged. Remember we look forward to the fruit your death will surely produce.

Father Diego Cazzolato


A sincere and kind friend
I met Joseph Otieno for the first time in July 1997 when I went to Kenya for the novitiate. We were twelve novices: nine Kenyans, two Ugandans and I was the only one from Ethiopia. Kenya’s culture, history and customs were something entirely new for me. Joseph immediately took me under his wing and explained his Kenya to me. He was enormously patient telling me things over and over until I understood.
He had the room next to mine and I came to know him well. He was always punctual and faithful to prayer, community meetings and conferences – especially those about our Founder, Blessed Joseph Allamano, in whom he was extremely interested and to whom he was devoted.
Joseph did everything with enthusiasm: work, common life and prayer. His vocational journey was clear evidence of his constant quest for God and God’s will.
When I was in Kenya I met his parents and while talking to his father I realized how much Joseph took after him – both physically and spiritually. His father knew a great deal about missionary life and was happy with the choice his son had made to join the Consolata Missionaries. His family had grown up in a Consolata Mission and they were happy to be a part of that mission.
During the year in Kenya I worked with Joseph in various groups and I discovered how easy it was to work with him. We tried to help each other both in Kenya and later in England.
After the novitiate we were both sent to England where we continued our spiritual journey together: studying theology for four years. Those were the best years with Joseph: we learned so many new things about our life and relationship. We plunged into a new continent, a new country and a new culture. Joseph was always open to what was new and provided an excellent example of how to adapt to a new situation. His calm and open personality made it easy for him to fit into our new community and outside life. He was ever conscious of his obligations and took them seriously. He carried out all his assignments and was always at the service of others.
Joseph loved his active social life and had many friends with whom he spent pleasant evenings and shared a pint. He was happy with his studies and looked forward to the cultural evenings that were put on periodically. He was happy to share his talent and cheerfulness with his teachers and fellow students. He did pastoral work in Whetstone parish (North London) and played the drums at the Sunday evening youth Mass. The young people really liked him and sought his advice.
Joseph was a generous man who always put others before himself. His style of life was modest and respectful of others. He never argued or disagreed with others. He would state his ideas clearly and openly during our community meetings. He was humble and receptive when others expressed their opinions.
On February 16, 2001 we were ordained deacons. There were five of us and we were asked if we would like to be the first African missionaries to go to Korea. While the others immediately said no, Joseph and I asked for time to think. After a period of reflection we both agreed to go.
Four bishops were present at his ordination on October 14, 2001 in Nairobi (Kenya) and he immediately began his apostolate “washing the feet of others.” He always said, “Priesthood is for service.” He realized that a priest had to be a leader and show firmness but he always showed great respect for everyone. He was always kind in his relationships with others. The kindness came from his heart and touched people profoundly. This was probably his most attractive quality – something I will always remember: his kindness towards others.

Father Tamrat Defar


Charitable and open to all
We had been together the night before and his unexpected death was an enormous shock. We had celebrated Mass and had eaten supper. We stayed together until 10:30 that evening. We separated and planned to get together again the next evening. And then out of the blue I had news of his death the next morning.
Faith helps me look at Joseph’s life with more than sorrow and grief. I realize that there is much in his life for which we must thank the Lord. The first thing that occurred to me was that Joseph had lived out St. Francis’ prayer. I was surprised to learn that he had had the prayer printed on his ordination cards: “Lord grant that I may not so much seek to be comforted as to comfort, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.”
Joseph was always there, ready to listen, share and be with his brothers. It was always easy to approach him and would do anything to do what was asked of him. He lived in community with humility and simplicity. I don’t remember a single example of arrogance. Someone in the community once said that Joseph was so kind that he wouldn’t even kill a fly. I cannot honestly remember a single time Joseph lost his temper.
In reality I was impatient with him the night before he died. He had been late for an appointment we had. Before I had a chance to say anything he calmed my anger with two words. That last evening we spent together was beautiful.
Joseph put Paul’s words into practice: “Do everything without complaint or whining …” (Ephesians 4, 31). He lived in great simplicity. He was happy with little and cheerful even in the face of adversity. He was assigned to the community of Guryong – people who were poor and humble, a difficult situation. And yet he never complained about the evident discomfort. He confronted life in a genuine missionary spirit: with simplicity and joy.
Joseph was one of those people Koreans describe as “unselfish.” He was always open to others who frequently were not open to him. I remember I complained to him from time to time – but Joseph never created barriers between us; he never ignored anyone in our community. He adapted easily to new persons and situations and frequently sacrificed his view or opinion for others.
There are few African missionaries in Korea and Joseph did his best to bring us together. He initiated most of our meeetings.
Now Joseph has left us and our sorrow is great. I am convinced that the Lord prepared him for this event and that he was ready to meet the Lord: his whole life is evidence of this. He is an example for all of us: a Gospel to be heard and lived.
He believed in the merciful love of God. May he now be taken into the loving arms of God and hear the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Because you have been faithful in small things … enter now into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25, 21).

Father Peter Njoroge Githaiga


Simple and humble of heart
From the very moment of his arrival two years ago here in Guryong, a poor neighborhood in the center of Seoul, Father Joseph made clear his desire to live his missionary vocation with simplicity among the very poor. As he often said, “performing all possible little services.” Certainly the fact that we were foreigners and had so many problems with the Korean language forced us to do only “little services” in this community.
He was so humble and generous when he taught English to neighborhood kids or did work for the old ladies that he could appear simpleminded. There was one old lady who called upon Joseph for all her little jobs – she even sent him to the supermarket to shop. “A priest doing things like that!” exclaimed a woman from a neighboring parish. She suggested that Joseph tell the old lady to let him do more important things. Joseph replied, “We have come to serve and do those little things we can …”
Three days before his death we were asked to help with Christmas confessions in the parish. A woman made her confession to Father Joseph and was so struck by his human warmth and understanding attitude that she came to our house the following day with two others so that they could find the peace and love of God through confession.
Humility and simplicity of heart: these were Joseph’s characteristics. He communicated the love of God through the small things he did for others.

Father Juan Pablo de los Rios


To the Guardian Angel
Dear Father Joseph,
The year 2005 which was given to us is approaching its end.
From a foreign, far-off land
With a poor heart you came,
To fill the hunger for love.
On your journey as a priest,
A long journey,
You ran, Father Joseph.
With your big eyes,
Full of humility,
Revealing patience and kindness…
Now I know why I cried so much
For several days
Now I finally understand:
You were hurrying to the Lord!
I am not afraid
I and I am thankful for all
We have given and received!!!
You left in the depths of our heart
A love similar to that of the Lord
Father Joseph!
Rest in peace,
In the bosom of Our Lady, the Consolata
Come back as a guardian angel for the poor.
Monica Cheong
Last Updated ( Monday, 23 October 2006 )