UGANDA: Pope Francis led Ugandans in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Uganda Martyrs
The
Holy Father, Pope Francis today has joined the Ugandans in the celebrations of
the Holy Mass to mark the 50th anniversary canonisations of the Uganda Martyrs
at Namugongo shrine.
Holy Father, Pope Francis today has joined the Ugandans in the celebrations of
the Holy Mass to mark the 50th anniversary canonisations of the Uganda Martyrs
at Namugongo shrine.
The Shrine
commemorates the martyrdom of 22 young Catholic converts during an
anti-Christian persecution that took place under Mwanga II, the king of
Buganda.
commemorates the martyrdom of 22 young Catholic converts during an
anti-Christian persecution that took place under Mwanga II, the king of
Buganda.
Ten
of thousands of pilgrims from different parts of Uganda and beyond attended the
Mass, including the President of Uganda His excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and
other dignitaries and members of diplomatic corps.
of thousands of pilgrims from different parts of Uganda and beyond attended the
Mass, including the President of Uganda His excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and
other dignitaries and members of diplomatic corps.
According
to the information received from Kampala, Uganda some of the pilgrims had been there,
at the shrine all night to honour the martyrs and see the Pope, braving rains
and sleeping on mats.
to the information received from Kampala, Uganda some of the pilgrims had been there,
at the shrine all night to honour the martyrs and see the Pope, braving rains
and sleeping on mats.
Before
getting to Namugongo shrine, Pope Francis passed through the Anglican shrine
where he had a chance of visiting the martyr’s museum led by the Anglican
Archbishop.
getting to Namugongo shrine, Pope Francis passed through the Anglican shrine
where he had a chance of visiting the martyr’s museum led by the Anglican
Archbishop.
During
his Homily the pope thanked the Martyrs for their contribution towards the
catholic faith; “They are a living testimony,” he said adding that “Uganda
martyrs show us the way. Their faith sought the good of all people, including
the very King who condemned them for their Christian beliefs. Their response
was to meet hatred with love, and thus to radiate the splendour of the Gospel.
They did not simply tell the King what the Gospel does not allow, but showed
through their lives what saying “yes” to Jesus really means. It means mercy and
purity of heart, being meek and poor in spirit, and thirsting for righteousness
in the hope of an eternal reward.”
his Homily the pope thanked the Martyrs for their contribution towards the
catholic faith; “They are a living testimony,” he said adding that “Uganda
martyrs show us the way. Their faith sought the good of all people, including
the very King who condemned them for their Christian beliefs. Their response
was to meet hatred with love, and thus to radiate the splendour of the Gospel.
They did not simply tell the King what the Gospel does not allow, but showed
through their lives what saying “yes” to Jesus really means. It means mercy and
purity of heart, being meek and poor in spirit, and thirsting for righteousness
in the hope of an eternal reward.”
In
the afternoon the Holy Father met the youth gathered at Kololo airstrip.
Multitudes of youth attended the gathering.
the afternoon the Holy Father met the youth gathered at Kololo airstrip.
Multitudes of youth attended the gathering.
Pope
Francis is expected to leave the country on Sunday to his final destination the
Central African Republic.
Francis is expected to leave the country on Sunday to his final destination the
Central African Republic.
By AMECEA Online News
reporter
reporter
