World’s best teacher recites Prayer of St Francis before US Congress.

English Africa Service – Vatican City

The United States White House Press Secretary and Communications Director, Stephanie Grisham, tweeted pictures of President Trump with Brother Tabichi.

At the US Congress

Before the start of a session in Congress, Brother Tabichi was introduced as the guest Chaplain and was then called upon to lead the house in an opening prayer. Brother Tabichi then made the Sign of the Cross and started the recitation of the Prayer. Towards the end of the Prayer, he added:

“We pray for peace in the world. We pray that our hands and hearts be stretched out in compassion in the service of others. (Lord) You remind us; whoever wants to be first must take the last place and be the servant of everyone else. Lord, make us an instrument of your peace,” Brother Tabachi prayed.

A humble Franciscan from rural Kenya

Brother Tabichi is a member of the Third Order Regular of St Francis of Assisi (OSF), a religious institute with its Generalate in Mountbellew, Ireland.

He is currently a teacher of Science at Kenya’s Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School at Pwani village in Njoro, Nakuru County.

“A humble and joyful Franciscan Brother from rural Kenya, echoed the universally known words of St. Francis of Assisi, blessing the august gathering with the Peace Prayer of St. Francis,” said his religious congregation.

“Brother Peter (Tabichi) stood before the assembly as a remarkable story in his own right. Recently recognised as the Global Teacher of the Year for 2019, he is a living witness to the power of education and the inherent value and dignity of the teaching profession. Congratulations, Brother Peter. This latest honour, coming in the bicentennial year of the Franciscan Brothers of the Third Order Regular, underscores the value of your own and your confreres’ calling, to a simple life marked by service, fraternity, and prayer,” said the Franciscan Order.

Brother Tabichi set to address UN General Assembly

It was widely reported by the media, this week, that Brother Tabichi would also address the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He will use the occasion to prod the world’s decision-makers to encourage the teaching of science in Africa.

Brother Tabichi, 36 years old, was in March, awarded the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize at a ceremony held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since his win, he has been travelling around the world and has inspired many people.

The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.