UGANDA: Consecrated Persons called to be witnesses

Sr. Mary Lilly Driciru, MSMMC

Consecrated Persons in the Archdiocese of Kampala have celebrated the D-day at Munyonyo Holy Martyrs Shrine, at the Basilica of St. Andrew Kaggwa. This day attracted overwhelmingly greater numbers of the Consecrated Persons than ever! Over 400 of them were registered, but we believe others did not register.

The event which was presided over by His Grace Paul Ssmwogerere, the Archbishop of Kampala, kicked off with an input about the Uganda Martyrs who’s Diamond Jubilee (60 Years) is celebrated this year, 2024. Guided by the theme, Uganda Martyrs and the Religious: A life of witness, Fr. Hilary R. Munyaneza, of St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary – Ggaba delivered the talk about the Holy Martyrs of Uganda. The basic text that guided the theme was, “You will be my witnesses,” (Acts 1:8).

“Welcome to Munyonyo: the starting point of the Uganda Martyrs’ journey to the climax of witnessing to Christ. A moment of gratitude to God for the gift of the Martyrs: the first believers of our land. A moment of gratitude to God for the vocation of each and every one of us: God called us in various ways, from various places, to various Institutes of Consecrated Life. Above all, we give gratitude to God for the gift of the consecrated life in the life and apostolate of the Church, Fr. Hilary emphasized.

“Witness is about Jesus Christ and the apostles. He informs them that they would be His witnesses: after having been with Him and learnt from Him, they are now to take the same message to others. Jesus called the Apostles to be with Him and to go out and preach (Mark 3:13-14). Witnessing takes place after the Ascension: share with others your personal and religious experience of God. How many young people have you encouraged to embrace the religious or priestly life?

There is a Latin saying which, translated, it says, “Nobody can give what he does not have.” Citing Msgr. Timoteo Ssemwogerere who said, share with others what you have received in the Holy Mass. The extent of witness: starting from Jerusalem but not ending in Jerusalem because the entire world is the mission field in need of witness,” Fr. Hilary added.

According to Fr. Hilary, Diamond Jubilee of Uganda Martyrs helps Consecrated Persons to renew, strengthen conviction, live the vows and become more committed to Christ. He also reminded the Consecrated Persons who are the signs of the future age, to be focused towards a universal goal where Uganda Martyrs and other Saints are, in the paradise. He also illustrated the power of unity by easily breaking a tender and single cassava stock in pieces while a bundle of sticks failed to break. The moral meaning of the drama was, unity is strength.

In the homily, Archbishop Paul Ssemwogerere urged the Consecrated Persons to be attentive because the world is focusing on them. “We the witnesses should know the Lord and act like the first missionaries, the bearers of the light of Christ, and compassion which unfolded with encounter of Simeone and Anne in Jerusalem, (Lk 2:32).”

The Prelate further noted that, the Consecrated Persons should present to the Lord a light to enlighten the gentiles and prophesy the light of the world to all. The blessed and lighted candles symbolize Jesus, the light of the world. And the consecrated men and women are sent out to witness Christ – the light of the world.

“Be true evangelizers, discern God’s action vs the spirit of the world, which seem to be greater and mightier than the Spirit of God and many are tempted to embrace it! Let us love and be courageous and may God keep and reserve us like Mary and Joseph. Let us offer ourselves with Jesus to embrace the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience and renew our consecration and use the vision for the future, in fatigue and illness let us emulate Anna who persevered in prayer and bear the testimony of enduring truth with Uganda Martyrs.

After Mass, the celebrants and participants were invited to bless Mother Kevin Gardens. History has it that, the main Port was Munyonyo when Mother Kevin landed on February 15, 1903, near Kabaka’s Palace. The garden is designed in commemoration of her arrival after the Missionaries of Africa.

Msgr. Richard Nnyombi, the episcopal vicar for the religious in Kampala Archdiocese told participants to make use of the occasion of preparation to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Uganda Martyrs and pray through their intercession. He reminded the members about the Jubilee of consecrated life, due to take place next year, 2025. Msgr. Richard also informed the congregation about the new Leadership Team of ARU Kampala Branch led by Sr. Immaculate Nakato, IMR.

Sr. Lydia Apili Bwor the Secretary General ARU, further added her voice during the event, basing on the letter for the Jubilee Year of consecrated life that, the climax of the jubilee year of the Consecrated Life would be held on October 8-9, 2025 in Rome. It is designed to be the year of reconciliation, conversion and sacrament of penance. Among others, it will add hope and peace, to the three paradigms: Commitment to the last; listening to the cry of the poor, Care and custody of creation; protection of the environment, Universal brotherhood and solidarity.