UGANDA: Consecrated Persons in Lira Diocese Set to Make Spontaneous Holy Pilgrimages to Cathedral
Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok of Lira diocese flanked by deacons and priests waiting to receive offertory
Fr. Isaac Ojok
The priests and the Religious serving in Uganda’s Lira Diocese are set for quarterly holy pilgrimages from their various parishes to the Cathedral Church that has been dedicated to the patronage and watchful care of the Holy Martyrs of Uganda.
Making holy pilgrimages to the Cathedral Church has been initiated by the Rt. Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok, the Bishop of Lira Diocese with the vision to strengthen the bond of unity among the priests and religious serving in his diocese.
Before the start of the holy pilgrimage, the priests and Religious are asked to organize and have half-day recollections at parish and denary levels in the first and second month respectively.
In the third month, all the priests and Religious come together to the Cathedral as one family of God to share their pastoral experiences amongst themselves.
The Rt. Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok said coming together as one family of God in holy pilgrimage is an opportunity created to present various prayer intentions for the diocese to God.
Apart from strengthening the bond of unity, the Bishop disclosed that making holy pilgrimages to the Cathedral is significant to the fact that it rekindles the spiritual growth amongst the people of God.
He went on saying it is timely for the priests and Religious to make other regular holy pilgrimages to parishes in order to share experiences and to compare notes on administration and governance in the parishes, pastoral challenges being faced and how such challenges can be addressed.
Speaking on the occasion of the Agape meal held on the 9th January 2023 at Uganda Martyrs Catholic Parish Minakulu in Oyam district, the bishop reiterated the need for the clergy to consolidate the bond of unity amongst themselves following the example of Jesus Christ with His disciples.
Furthermore, Bishop Wanok observed that coming together as priests and Religious creates an opportunity for them to reflect upon their call to serve in the vine yard of God as consecrated men and women.
During the Eucharistic celebration on the occasion of the Agape meal, the bishop, priests and Religious were joined by some laity who came to share the joy at the banquet of the Lord in which the bishop was grateful to them and the entire parishioners of Minakulu for the commendable job being done and the hospitality accorded.
He then asked members of the pastoral council and the Christian community to remain in solidarity at the service of the Lord and to one another to ensure the growth of faith among the people of God in Lira diocese. He concluded his address by invoking God’s abundant blessings upon all the people of God in Lira diocese as a whole.
Speaking about holy pilgrimages in Uganda, quickly reminds oneself of the annual pilgrimages that Christians across the globe do make to Namugongo Catholic Martyrs shrine in Kampala Archdiocese where Charles Lwanga and Companions were killed, Paimol Martyrs Shrine in Gulu Archdiocese a point where blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa met their martyrdom respectively.
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