150th Pilgrimage – Day 1 – Nalukolongo

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

150th Jubilee - Pilgrimage

Day One - Nalukolongo

Nalukolongo Mission was founded in 1885 by Frs Simeon Lourdel Mapeera, Pierre Giraud and Bro. Amans Delmas. It was the second Catholic mission post in Uganda after Nabulagala (1879). The land was donated by Kabaka Mwanga to the missionaries on their return from Tanganyika. Mwanga wanted to give them a piece of land near his palace at Mengo, but they preferred this site because it was more accessible to the ‘poor and the little ones’ (abakopi). The mission’s church served as the first Cathedral in Uganda for Bishop Leon Livinhac. This post lasted for three years (1885-1888).

Hundreds of catechumens were baptised at this place after the martyrdom of Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe (15th November 1885) and during the general persecution of 1886. Among these were thirteen (13) future martyrs, namely: Charles Lwanga, Denis Ssebuggwawo, Pontian Ngondwe, Athanasius Bazzekuketta, Gonzaga Gonza, Noa Mawaggali, James Buuzabalyawo, Ambrose Kibuuka, Anatoli Kiriggwajjo, Achilles Kiwanuka, Adolph Mukasa Ludigo, Bruno Sserunkuuma and John-Mary Muzeeyi.

It was at Nalukolongo that the first seeds of the indigenous vocation of consecrated life sprouted up in the private vows of celibacy taken by Maria-Mathilda Munaku and Celestin Namusanga, in view of total commitment to the service of the missionaries and the needy. These two did so on their own initiative, before Fr. Simeon Lourdel Mapeera. The latter speaks about Celestin as “our first Black African brother” and about Mathilda as “our first Black African Sister”. Celestin was ransomed in 1885, baptised at the end of the same year; took his temporary vow for one year in 1887; unfortunately he drowned in Lake Victoria when the missionaries were escaping from Buganda after being expelled by the Muslim army in October 1888. Matilda, sister of St. Noa Mawaggali, was baptised in July 1886 and took her temporary vow in the same year; she served in different mission posts and seminaries for all her life until she died in 1934 at the age of 76. She was buried in Bukalasa Seminary cemetery.

Other key historical facts about Nalukolongo:

    • First baptisms of Ugandan women administered by the missionaries themselves were celebrated here.
    • Many young slave boys and girls were ransomed and cared for together with other poor people at this place. This inspired the late Cardinal Nsubuga to found Mapeera Bakateyamba Home (for disabled and needy, 1978) at this place. Two years before (1976), he had founded the Institute of the Good Samaritan Sisters for the same cause with their Mother House at this place. Talking about the vocation of these Sisters, the Cardinal said: “l have abolished the saying that “charity ended with Mapeera”! Let mercy not die with Mapeera, but continue being seen through the charitable works of these girls towards the poor and destitute who will be brought here at Nalukolongo.” (8 December 1978) It is this long tradition of works of charity that in 2015 (28 November) Pope Francis made a pilgrimage to this place in recognition of the importance of the Church’s commitment to reach out to the poor, the handicapped and the sick. On that occasion, he made this appeal: 

“I wanted very much to visit this Home of Charity, which Cardinal Nsubuga founded here in Nalukolongo. This is a place which has always been associated with the Church’s outreach to the poor, the handicapped and the sick. Here, in early times, slave children were ransomed and women received religious instruction (from the missionaries for the first time). | greet the Good Samaritan Sisters who carry on this fine tradition, and | thank them for their years of quiet and joyful service in this apostolate…. Today, from this Home, | appeal to all Parishes and Communities in Uganda and the rest of Africa – not to forget the poor.” (Pope Francis at Nalukolongo)

    • 1886 (13 June): Amidst persecutions and killings of Christians, the missionaries renewed their consecration to B.V. Mary. They signed the act and put it under her statue as they had done at the beginning their mission in Uganda in 1879 (2 July).
    • 1888 (18 October): The Missionaries, after having been imprisoned for five days with the exception of Bro. Amans, were expelled out of the country by the new king Kalema and his Muslim supporters. The mission was completely looted and destroyed such that when they returned in October 1889, they could not come back here.
    • 1893: The remains of Charles Lwanga and Mathias Mulumba which had been buried here in the sacristy of the first church in November 1886, were found after a long search which lasted for many months. Mgr Hirth expressed their joy on that day with these inspiring words:

“I am in a hurry to share with you the joy that Providence willed to fill us yesterday. It is with great gratitude that you will thank the Lord with me. After a number of months of searching, we finally found in the excavations at Nalukolongo, the small box of bones of our Martyrs of 1886. It is five years since it was hidden by the missionaries, at the time of Arab crisis. Surely it is not without divine providence that God has sent to us this precious consolation in the present circumstances.

With this unexpected favour, it is a new era of graces and blessings, which is being announced for our Mission of Nyanza. Let us all bring together our prayers so that we may not remain unworthy of the grace which is announcing itself! Let us call upon our Martyrs and often repeat these invocations: Queen of Martyrs pray for us. All Holy Martyrs, pray for us.” (Mgr Hirth, Letter to missionaries in Tanganyika, 14 November 1893).

NB: These are the only relics of the Uganda Martyrs which were identified for individual martyrs and kept safely. They are the ones carried at Namugongo during the annual pilgrimage procession.

    • 1923 (3rd June) : Blessing and laying of the foundation stone of the Memorial Chapel, by Mgr. John Forbes. It was built in memory of the Uganda Martyrs, Mgr Livinhac and Fr. Mapeera, and dedicated to the Mother of Jesus, Patron Saint of Buganda (Ya Namasole wa Yezu Omuwolereza w’Obuganda). This noble work was initiated and supervised by Fr. Raux Modeste who was then the parish priest of Lubaga.
    • 1929 (3rd June): Memorial Chapel was blessed by Mgr. Arthur Hinsley. It was the first chapel in Uganda to be built in memory of the Uganda Martyrs.
    • 1954: Little Sisters of Jesus (Charles de Foucauld) established themselves at Nalukolongo. Left Uganda in early 1970s.
    • 1991 (29th April): Burial of late Emmanuel Cardinal K. Nsubuga (1914-1991. It was his will to be buried at Nalukolongo with the intention that whoever comes here to pray for his soul, would remember to help the sick and needy in this place.

Card. Nsubuga was a ‘true grandson of the Pioneer Missionaries, especially of Mapeera’. He secured many historical places linked to the pioneer missionaries and the Uganda Martyrs. He brought back to Uganda the remains of Mgr. Livinhac from Algiers, Bro. Amans from Bagamoyo in Tanzania and Fr. Barbot from Zanzibar. He initiated the cause for the beatification of Fr. Simeon Lourdel Mapeera in 1987.

    • Pilgrimage Site: Because of its link with the Uganda Martyrs, hundreds of pilgrims come to this place during the annual pilgrimage to Namugongo in May/June.

PRAYER AT NALUKOLONGO

“I wanted very much to visit this Home of Charity, which Cardinal Nsubuga founded here in Nalukolongo. This is a place which has always been associated with the Church’s outreach to the poor, the handicapped and the sick. Here, in early times, slave children were ransomed and women received religious instruction (from the missionaries for the first time). I greet the Good Samaritan Sisters who carry on this fine tradition, and I thank them for their years.” (Pope Francis at Nalukolongo)

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of the brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Mt. 25:40)

God of freedom, beauty and truth we believe that your deepest desire, is that all creation might have life, life in abundance. We seek your divine protection for all who are exploited and enslaved.

Restore their dignity and provide them a new beginning. Help us reach out in support of victims and survivors of modern slavery.

Lord, You came to give honour to the least, those forgotten, overlooked and misjudged. You came to give first place to the last, those left behind, misunderstood and undervalued. You came to give a warm welcome to the lost, those who are orphaned, abandoned and destitute. 

Help us to be your ears to listen to their cries. Help us to be your voice speaking out love and acceptance. Help us to be your feet walking beside those in need. Help us to be your hands to clothe, feed and shelter them.

May You continue to renew missionary zeal in ourselves and in the Church; raise up new missionaries who will follow You to the ends of the world. Make us witnesses to Your goodness; full of love, strength and faith for Your greater glory and the salvation of the entire world.

150th Pilgrimage – Day 1 – Kisubi

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

150th Jubilee - Pilgrimage

Day One - Kisubi

When Mapeera and Amans left Kaweta (Bugonga) on foot heading for the capital, Lubaga, their first night was spent at Kisubi (19 February 1879).

Oral tradition says that the following morning, when they removed their tent to continue their journey to Lubaga, they forgot one of the pegs which later grew into a big tree, now named Mapeera Tree. This tree is now in the compound of Mapeera Senior Secondary School.

The whole hill of Kisubi was given to the missionaries by Kabaka Muteesa I in 1880. This gift was later confirmed by Muteesa’s successor Kabaka Mwanga.

Kisubi Parish (Our Lady Queen of Virgins)

It was founded in 1895. The construction work of the present parish church started in 1911 and completed in 1913. This church, besides being built as a parish church, was also built as a ‘pilotchurch’ for the future Lubaga Cathedral.

NB: The White Sisters opened their first community in Kisubi in 1905 (see below).

Pilgrimage to “Mapeera Tree”

This pilgrimage started in the 1980s and since three years, there is an annual pilgrimage on 19′” February, the date on which Fr. Simeon Lourdel Mapeera and Bro. Amans spent a night at this place on their way to Kampala.

Mapeera Seminary (1981-1985)

The Missionaries of Africa started their first seminary (phase) in Uganda here at the parish. It was named ‘Mapeera Seminary’. Before that, their candidates were studying at Katigondo Major Seminary in Masaka.

The Parish team was also among the staff of Mapeera Seminary. While the first group had enough rooms within the presbytery, those who followed were accommodated in containers transformed into rooms. The seminarians participated in the parish pastoral activities. This experience lasted up to 1985 when it the seminary was transferred to Kalangala (Tanzania) in 1985.

Cemetery

A number of M.Afr. and Msola are buried in the parish cemetery. Among them, there are two M.Afr. Fr. Demers Jean-Paul (+60yrs) and Fr. Perreault Gerard (+55yrs), who were shot dead at the airport during Idi Amin’s coup d’Etat on the 25th January, 1971.

Kisubi Hill: Symbol of Church’s Integral Evangelisation Mission

Since the foundation of Kisubi parish, many other church institutions have been established on this hill. These institutions include: religious houses, schools and health care centres. This variety of institutions point to the integral nature of the church’s evangelising mission. This mission is not only limited to the soul, but also the body and mind.

Some of the past and present institutions on Kisubi Hill

    • Kisubi Hospital founded by the Msola in 1905. Before, the White Fathers had transformed part of the buildings that belonged to the seminary which had been transferred to Buddu, into a LAZARET (of St. Antoine), a centre to look after people with “sleeping sickness”. This lasted until 1908.
    • St. Joseph Technical School, started in 1911 by M.Afr. It is the first technical school in Uganda.
    • The Printing Press started by the M.Afr., handed over to the Sisters of St. Peter Claver in 1957. The sisters named it “Marianum Press”.
    • St. Mary’s College started at Lubaga in 1906, was transferred to Kisubi in 1924. The M.Afr. handed it over to the Brothers of Christian Instruction 1927.
    • St. Theresa Girls’ Primary School, started by MSOLA 1926.
    • Mother House of the Sisters of The Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix (Gogonya Sisters), since 1948; and their Generalate in the old regional house of the Msola near to the parish church. Their Novitiate is near their Mother House. These Sisters were founded by Mgr Henri Streicher and Mgr Joseph Cabana.
    • Kisubi Minor Seminary started in 1952 where a number of M.Afr. taught. The minor seminary which had been started at Lubaga in 1895, was later transferred to Kisubi where it remained up to December 1903 when it was transferred to Bukalasa (Masaka). The construction of the new seminary started in 1949, during the episcopate of Mgr Joseph Cabana (M.Afr).
    • Provincial House and Novitiate of The Brothers of Christian Instruction. Note: These Brothers were invited to come to Uganda by the M.Afr., to run the colleges founded by the latter, for example, St. Mary’s Kisubi and St. Henry’s Kitovu (Masaka). Mgr. John Forbes, the first Canadian White Father, by then co-adjutor of Msgr. Henri Streicher, was key in getting these Brothers.
    • Mother House of the Brothers of St. Amans located next to St. Joseph Technical School. These Brothers, were founded in 1984 by the late Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga, inspired by the M.Afr. Brothers whose predecessor in this country was Bro. Amans Delmas.
    • Generalate of The Good Samaritan Sisters located next to the Marianum Printing Press.

MISSIONARY SISTERS OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA AT KISUBI

Kisubi was the third Ugandan foundation of the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa. As early as 1903, the white Fathers had set up a health Care unit at Kisubi affected by sleeping sickness.

Soon the number of “Mmongoota” (sleeping sickness) patients was rapidly increasing and a dispensary was needed. Bishop Henry Streicher, the then Apostolic Vicar of the Uganda Vicariate, decided to send a team of sisters to Kisubi to combat the plague.

ln December 1905, first five Sisters: Mother St. Honorat, Paula, Anna, Rodolphe d’Aquaviva and Jean Nepomucene arrived from Lubaga. In January 1906, after a day of recollection, the work of starting a health care unit was immediately embarked on and with the assistance of local people; a few huts were built in which patients with sleeping sickness were nursed. Sr. Paula and Sr. Anna took care of the “sleepers”, Sr. Jean Nepomucene took over the children and the sacristy, while Sr. Rodolphe d’Aquaviva was in charge of the house.

Although the Sisters had wanted this foundation mainly to care for the “sleepers” they also undertook works of charity, like everywhere else: dispensary work and the education of the nearby children.

The sisters recognised the value of education and religion. In 1908, they penetrated into the local community and encouraged the girls to come and be taught some skills and religious values. In 1915, they opened up a Girls’ school at Kisubi. A few parents allowed their daughters to go to the sisters for instruction. Much emphasis was put on the teaching of catechism and this way they put a great influence on the children’s education in regard to Christianity.

Most significant, in the history of the school, was 1922 when parents felt that their sons were left out in the education system and requested that at least the small boys be taught the church rituals. In 1931 the boys were formally enrolled in the school under St. John’s Kindergarten and that is when boys came to be within a Girls’ school.

In January 1970, the headship of the primary school was handed over to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix (Gogonya Sisters) and in February 1988 the management of Kisubi hospital was effectively passed on to the sisters of the same Institute.

Ggogonya Sisters’ Generalate (Former Regional House of the White Sisters)

PRAYER AT KISUBI

“Go and teach them….”

In the footsteps of Christ the Teacher

Biblical Text: Mt. 28: 16-20

“… I beg you to send me experts in various fields of education and skills to train my people in those lines you have in your country. Please send me trustworthy persons who will not betray my country and who will not lead my people to bad behaviour. But only those who will give good examples and proper education that can lead us to good administration of my country. Send me some teachers of religion so that I may understand God. ” (Kabaka Muteesa I, 1875)

King Muteesa requested for “teachers of skills and religion”. Kisubi hills is one of those places where visibly those who responded to this invitation, among them the sons and daughters of Lavigerie, implemented that wish and their successors are continuing to do the same. Today, Kisubi is one of the big centre of education and learning in technical skills, religious-spiritual studies and secular studies. The presence of the “Brothers of Christian Instruction” (Kisubi Brothers) and St. Mary’s College on this hill, is another reminder for us how much the Missionaries of Africa treasured formal education. Because of their expertise in this field, the White Fathers invited these Brothers to come in Uganda help them in this noble work. St. Mary’s College was the first college founded by the White Fathers.

We praise and thank God for the Church’s tremendous contribution to the education system of our country.

Our thoughts of gratitude also go to all the past and present men and women involved in this noble work of educating the children of our respective countries. May God grant them the spirit of Christ the Teacher, so as to make these children true “disciples of Christ”.

“We swear that the Blessed Virgin Mary will be our guide and teacher so that we can understand through her and with her in order to fulfil the work of her Son Jesus Christ….” (Pioneer Missionaries, 1879)

We too, like those pioneer missionaries, entrust this noble work and all those involved in it to Mother Mary to be their guide and teacher…

Our Father, a decade of Hail Mary’s, Glory be to the Father

150th Pilgrimage – Day 1 – Kigungu

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

150th Jubilee - Pilgrimage

A year ago, a good delegation of the Missionaries of Africa and of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa were in Tunisia to mark the official beginning of the Jubilee Year. At that occasion, the delegates had the privilege of participating to a pilgrimage, skilfully prepared by the missionaries of Maghreb, on the footsteps of our Founder, Cardinal Lavigerie, and the first missionaries in Tunisia. A few days ago, it was for the missionaries in Uganda to prepare a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey, in the footsteps of the first missionaries in Uganda, Father Simeon Lourdel and Brother Amans Delmas, as well as the very first seeds of faith, the Martyrs of Uganda, before the celebration of the official closing of the Jubilee Year. 

TO ALL THOSE WHO COULD NOT TAKE PART, WE PROPOSE TO ENGAGE INTO THE SAME SPIRITUAL JOURNEY BY FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION – LITTLE BY LITTLE OF THE “PILGRIMAGE BOOKLET”.

Introduction

The Missionaries of Africa arrived in Uganda one hundred and forty years ago (1879) while the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa one hundred and twenty years ago (1899). Our pilgrimage is going to take us to some places where our predecessors in mission passed, lived and served God and his people. We hope and pray that as we explore and enjoy the glorious past whose impact is visible in the present thriving Christian community, we do not “transform that past into a museum” or, worse, into a ‘cemetery of nostalgia’ (expressions of Pope Francis); but rather make it alive and fully present wherever we are continuing the mission started by our predecessors. May this journey in the past of our Lavigerie Family in this country help us to discover “seeds of an unimaginable future in our apparently barren.” (Timothy Radcliffe).

PILGRIMAGE IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE PIONEER MISSIONARIES

Day One - Kigungu

How beautiful are the feet of the messenger of Good news (Is. 52: 7)

FIRST CARAVAN TO EAST AFRICA 1878:
1. Joseph Augier 2. Ludovic Girault 3. Leon Livinhac 4. Simeon Lourdel 5. Leon Barbot 6. Amans Delmas
7. Joachim Pascal 8. Theophile Dromaux 9. Henry Delaunay 10. Toussaint Deniaud

Some historical notes

Kigungu also known as Kyettale was the biggest port of Buganda Kingdom in the nineteenth century. On the 17 February 1879, the two pioneer Catholic missionaries, Fr. Simeon Lourdel and Bro. Amans Delmas, arrived at this port. It had taken them ten months from Algiers and almost one month from Kageye (Mwanza), the other side of the lake, where they had left their three confreres. After two days of rest and repairing their canoe, they left heading for Lubaga the capital of the kingdom. But, after a few kilometres, at Kaweta (cf. Bugonga Parish), their canoe broke into pieces. This is how Mapeera narrates the incident: “We arrived just in time, our poor canoe, often repaired, was no longer any good except for firewood. It simply fell apart and so completely that we had to give up any idea of using it any further.” So, from here they continued their journey on foot.

Four months later, on the 17 June 1879, the three missionaries left at Kageye also arrived at the same port. These were: Frs. Leon Livinhac, Ludovic Girault and Leon Barbot. Bro. Amans went to fetch them with a fleet of 20 canoes provided by King Muteesa I. It was indeed a joyful and thanksgiving day. This is how Fr. Girault described it in the diary: 

“Last night the mosquitoes once again came back to make war against us… We woke up at four in the morning (4.00a.m) and departure was at five …. Fr. Livinhac and Bro. Amans are still suffering from fever … Before our arrival, Musisi called together all the canoes, and then we slowly moved forward to the shore… The guards fired in the air and the drums were beaten as the rowers were singing. And finally, at twenty minutes past ten (10.20a.m), we put our feet on this land of Uganda for which we had for a long time been longing to reach! We were very happy and deep within our hearts we earnestly gave thanks to God for the unfailing protection which he had given to us throughout our journey. We also asked Him to bless our mission and to convert these poor people among whom we have come to live.” 

They stayed here for four days and then left on foot for Nabulagala where Fr. Simeon Lourdel was waiting for them. Fr. Livinhac was very sick and had to be carried in a stretcher.

Twenty years later, in October 1899, the first group of six White Sisters in this country arrived at this same port. They came with Mgr. Henry Streicher and a group of 12 White Fathers.

Monument and Sub-Parish

The first monument in remembrance of the arrival of the pioneer missionaries at this port was built in 1929 which was the golden jubilee year of the arrival of those missionaries. This monument was slowly submerged in the water – parts of its remains are in the museum at Lubaga.

The present monument with statues of Mapeera and Amans was built in 1933-35. Since 1935, Kigungu is a sub-parish of Bugonga (Entebe) Parish since 1975. Construction works on the new church started in 1994. (Entebe parish, about 3 kms from Kigungu, was founded by M.Afr. in 1902; it was for many years the procure).

Old Monument
New monument

Annual pilgrimage

Pilgrimages to Kigungu started in the sixties (1960’s). Since 2009, this pilgrimage is on the very day of the 17th February, be it a Sunday or not. It is organised in turn by the dioceses making Kampala Ecclesiastical Province and each year the number of pilgrims increases such that the place is getting smaller and smaller!

Remains of the Pioneer Missionaries, Kigungu, 17th February 2011

PRAYER AT KIGUNGU (MSOLA)

(From “Listening to Mother Marie Salomé” p. 37-38)

« The Heart of Jesus should be our model and with him, our Mother Mary whom our Constitutions gave us as an example to imitate every day. Look at them very closely, look at them constantly, look at them lovingly; may their example, printed on your heart, make you become radiant with their virtues in all that you are, and may everyone find in you an example of modesty, Christian friendliness, meekness, deep piety and perfect seriousness, all of which were characteristics of the person of Jesus and of his Holy Mother. In this way you will be like a magnet, drawing souls to God; then you will fulfil, through the grace of Our Lord, the words which our Venerable Founder pronounced at the basilica of Our Lady of Africa over his first missionaries leaving for Equatorial Africa: 

“How beautiful, for the children of Africa, are the feet of those who come down from their mountains, bruised and wounded from their journey and covered in dust, to finally bring them peace. How beautiful are they, in the eyes of Christians, those feet which carry them to martyrdom out of love, those feet which sacrifice themselves to save so many victims from their pains.” »

Let us reflect on the way Father Simeon Lourdel, br. Amans Delmas and all of our missionary ancestors were ready to be sent wherever the Lord needed them. What about us? How do we answer our vocation every day? How do we face some difficulties we encounter in accepting the mission and in our obedience to the Lord’s call?

Let us thank the Lord, like Father Simeon Lourdel, br. Amans Delmas, for entrusting us, despite our weaknesses, the mission of spreading His Word to African people.

Song : Tu es le Dieu des grands espaces

White Fathers mark 150 years

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

White Fathers mark 150 years

By Nelson Kiva in NEW VISION (December 9, 2019)

The leading Ugandan Newspaper “NEW VISION” covered both the great celebration in Namugongo and the pilgrimage which preceded the feast.

Here is an article from Nelson Kiva, of NEW VISION, which appeared in the edition of the Newspaper on Monday 9th December.

Hundreds of missionaries from different parts of the world yesterday thronged Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Namugongo to mark 150 years of African evangelisation. This was in honour of the Uganda Martyrs.

The first Catholic missionaries to come to Uganda belonged to the White Fathers. They were Fr Simeon Lourdel popularly known as Mapeera and Brother Delmas Amans (Amansi), who taught religion to the 22 Uganda Catholic Martyrs.

The Society of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) and the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) are held in high esteem across Africa, for not only helping in evangelisation, but also their support for the education and health sectors.

The White Fathers and White Sisters missionary movements originated in 1869 when Cardinal Charles of Lavigerie, the Archbishop of Algiers in North Africa, called young men and women to form the two societies. The missionaries hailed from France and England.

The superior general of the White Fathers, Fr Stanley Lubungo, said the Uganda Martyrs are key, since they obeyed the word of God. “They did not forsake God and this makes them a blessing and a key pillar of faith,” he said. “They lit the candle and it is us to carry it forward by furthering the gospel,” he added.

Sr Carmen Sammut, the superior general of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, said: “We thank God for the Uganda Martyrs and for the joy many men and women and children who on this continent have given their lives to Christ and for others.”

Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Luigi Bianco, the chief celebrant of the Mass to thank God for the 150-year milestone, said the Church in Uganda had special reason for deep gratitude, because the two missionary institutes were the pioneers in bringing the good news to the country.

“Indeed, it is a moment to thank God for many missionaries, fathers, brothers and sisters, who dedicated their lives to the proclamation of the gospel in Africa and other continents and at the service of the human promotion of the people,” he said.

“The anniversary offers a good example and inspiration that nobody is excluded from the Church Mission,” he added.

“Even Pope Francis invites the Church to rediscover its fruitfulness in the joy of mission and to be witnesses of the love of God for everyone.
The Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, said: “When I consider the abundant fruits of the missionaries, I am prompted to ponder a number of questions. For instance, Where would we be if you were not founded? How would Africa be without your missionary activities and commitments? How would Uganda be without the miracle of the Uganda Martyrs?” He said the Uganda Martyrs were the first fruits of the evangelism work in Uganda.

The head of the Catholic laity of Uganda, Gervase Ndyanabo, said the laity should think about the sacrifices the missionaries made, including putting their lives on the line for the sake of evangelisation.

“We, therefore, join the rest in praising God for them. We shall forever be grateful to God for the true joy we were given through them,” he said.

President Yoweri Museveni, who was represented by finance minister Matia Kasaija, told religious leaders that the solution to the evils of corruption and senseless killings, was in joint efforts to deal with the growing trends of immorality in the country.

The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, in his message paid homage to the missionaries, saying Uganda and Africa were proud of them for producing the first African bishop in the modern times.

Bishop Joseph Nakabale Kiwanuka, was consecrated in 1939. The Kabaka, who was represented by Prince David Golooba, said this anchored the Catholic Church in Uganda.

BETWEEN THE LINES

President Yoweri Museveni reminded the Church that its role to fight immorality was immense, saying: “Evils such as corruption and senseless killings are an indication of bad perception, lack of honesty and immorality in our people.”

Read online the coverage of the same NEW VISION newspaper on the “pilgrimage on the footsteps of our predecessors”.

Kampala Closing Mass

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Jubilee Year Closing Celebration in Namugongo

In almost all provinces, sections and sectors, the Jubilee Year has come to an end. A time to celebrate, to thank God and count the graces that will take us forward to continue the Mission with the charisms which are ours. 

Many photos of the various celebrations were posted on Facebook or circulated by email or by WhatsApp. These are coming late due to poor Internet Connection in Namugongo, Uganda, where the official closing of the Jubilee Year took place. They come mainly from Brother Vitus Abobo, but I suspect he also collected photos from other photographs. 

It is more difficult to give an account of what happened for your servant was not in Namugongo and did not receive anything from those who had the chance to be there. But the photos themselves give a beautiful account of the celebration.

René De Laet, R.I.P.

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo
Society of the Missionaries of Africa

Father Luc Putzeys, Provincial Delegate of the sector of Belgium,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

René De Laet

on Sunday the 8th December 2019  at Antwerp (Belgium)
at the age of 94 years, of which 70 years of missionary life in
DR Congo (Zaire) and in Belgium.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Download here the announcement of Father René De Laet’s death

Milestones in the life of Father René De Laet

Born in Leest
on 08/12/2019		Spiritual YearMissionary OathPriesthood ordination
in the diocese of Mechelen Brussels22/09/194521/07/194908/04/1950
 Nationality: BelgianVarsenareHeverleeHeverlee

23/08/1950AumônerieKilo Mines,LacAlbertCongo
28/03/1952Ecole MoyenneKilo Mines Bambu)Congo
03/11/1953 BadiyaCongo
19/01/1960Grande RetraiteMoursFrance
28/03/1960SupérieurBadiyaCongo
30/06/1965SupérieurBadiya,D.BuniaZaïre Ituri
06/08/1970VicaireBunia,EvêchéZaïre Ituri
16/09/1972SupérieurGetiZaïre Ituri
05/10/1980Session-RetraiteJérusalemIsraël / Palestine
30/06/1981SupérieurKilo MinesZaïre Ituri
30/06/1984SupérieurBambumines,St-PierreZaïre Ituri
01/09/1987VicaireBadiya,D.BuniaZaïre Ituri
01/10/1992CuréBadiya,D.BuniaZaïre Ituri
01/09/1996VicaireGety,D.BuniaZaïre Ituri
17/12/1996Evacué par Kampala Belgique
10/09/1997VicaireGetiCongo Ituri
01/11/2001VicaireGetiCongo Ituri
28/02/2002CEVBBuniaCongo Ituri
17/05/2003évacué Belgique
17/05/2003Nommé RésidenceAntwerpen, KeizerstraatBelgique
10/09/2003Session 70+RomaItalie
19/05/2004Nommé (PE 6/04) Belgique
08/12/2019Retour auprès du PèreAntwerpenBelgique

Louis Blondel : ten years already

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Memorial Service for Louis Blondel

Ten years ago already…. Our colleague Louis Blondel was murdered in the prebytery of Diepsloet, a township in northern Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, a Youth Centre has been built in his memory. On Sunday a “Memorial Service” will be celebrated on site. You can follow its progress in streaming. Here’s how it works:

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Go to www.watchaweb.co.za
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The Voice of Diepsloot is on the Main Page
Click to view

On any Tablet or Smartphone
Go to the Playstore for Android devices or App store for Apple devices
Search for Watcha Streaming
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Install the app
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The Voice of Diepsloot is on the Main Page
Click to view

Sharing of Sister Rosetta Rossi, msola

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Sharing of Sister Rosetta Rossi, msola

Sister Rosetta Rossi is a missionary sister of Our Lady of Africa (White Sister) who has worked for many years, especially in Burundi. As part of the Roman conferences marking the 150th anniversary of the foundations of our two missionary institutes, Sister Rosetta agreed to give her testimony as a missionary. This was done in French during a “Roman conference” on the 6th November 2019.

Echoes from the Plenary Council – 30th November 2019

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Echoes from the Plenary Council - 30th November 2019

Finances

Tony gave a very crystal clear presentation concerning the state of our finances. But as he pointed out the core of the issue is that of sustainability so as to ensure that our financial resources cover our needs not just for today but also in the future. In view of that he mentioned the question of transparency, accountability, the collaboration with professionals and audits (both internal and external). The financial world is a minefield and the pitfalls are many. More and more the need to engage with professionals is felt and already the collaboration that is there is bearing fruit. For some time now the financial council of the Society has each provincial treasurer as a member. This has improved collaboration and a common vision is emerging. There is also the much felt conviction that sustainability has to be applied to each and every province, community and confrere. This involves working effectively and responsibly at every level. Income from confreres (pensions, ministry, salaries, legacies) are steadily decreasing even if they are still the most important source of income. Yet the picture is changing and there is the growing importance of investments yet, as we know, such investments can be volatile and erratic for they are dependent on the markets. 

For the moment our income is stable yet expenses are constantly increasing even if the number of confreres decrease every year. We are not yet out of the woods but what about tomorrow? Surely we have, first and foremost, to be grateful for God’s providence for the benefactors who have supported us for the last 150 years. We are also grateful for our predecessors whose generosity and sacrifice helped to create the reserves we have today. In all of this solidarity is called for, for it is solidarity that has bound us together for all these years and must do so in the future. Yet let us not be afraid to mention certain tendencies of confreres that threaten such solidarity. There are confreres who have income generating projects for their own personal gain and interest to the detriment of solidarity certainly but also to the detriment at times to their pastoral involvement; others are only too happy to keep all the money they receive from the ministry that is theirs or keep the salaries they have. Such tendencies not only gravely threaten solidarity but threaten the identity that is ours. Linked with this Tony asked us to challenge ourselves with regards our lifestyle and attitude towards material things. Do I witness in any way to a simple lifestyle or does my lifestyle hinder the very witness I am supposed to give? On top of that it happens that confreres, even candidates, can have a keen spirit of entitlement (Rome will pay, the Society has the money, it is my right). Such sense of entitlement has no place in our Society.  

There is a pressing need for a rigorous financial system that is not porous and is not prone to wastage. Controls, checks and balances have to be in place at all levels so that money is always used for the right purposes. All our resources are to be used wisely and responsibly; this would mean that financial considerations must play an important role in the discernment process. Each and every one of us must be in solidarity with the whole Society and that demands a healthy concern for the future on our part.  For this caution and vigilance are part and parcel of the mentality that is ours and if necessary sacrifices will have to be made. As regards fundraising we must be ready to mobilise income yet all of this demands humility, creativity, transparency, conviction and motivation. 

In the final analysis our financial resources must be protected and sustained for they are the indispensable tool that makes our mission and ministry possible. It is imperative that such planning and appropriate directing of such resources pave the way ahead for a secure future. That future is in our hands. 

Francis Barnes

Download Echoes from the Plenary Council – 30th November 2019

This is probably the last report we will receive from the Plenary Council. Many thanks to Francis Barnes who has been very faithful to let us know the progress of the Plenary Council. 

Echoes from the Plenary Council – 29th November 2019

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Echoes from the Plenary Council - 29th November 2019

Initial Formation

Once again today we had a very clear introduction to the question of Initial formation given by our secretary of formation Bob Tebri. He stated clearly that what he would share was not a reflection on what formation should be but rather a look back over the last 3 years or more to see just how we are faring with the recommendations made by the last chapter (and how thus to move forward). This is indeed the methodology that has been used throughout this plenary council. 

Since the last chapter there have been numerous meetings for those involved in formation at various levels. The programme of all the pre-first phase centres have been harmonised for there was a great discrepancy and some were also mirroring what would later be covered in the first phase. For the most part the follow up of stagiaires by provincials and coordinators has greatly improved which also is the case for the evaluations that are made.  Most receiving communities were made up of 3 confreres though unfortunately there are still exceptions where the stagiaire becomes the third member. Certainly on the whole our formation continues to reflect the values of our charism by the M.Afr formation we desire to give (JPIC-ED, Missiology, spirituality, human development issues, integrity of ministry (some candidates elaborate their own code of conduct ). In our formation houses there is a growing awareness of candidates to be present in the peripheries for their pastoral ministry, hospitals, prisons, the slums. It would be interesting to hear from provincials if the same interest and ardour is there when they become young confreres.

Formation is a rich and complex process; it is difficult to find a word that conveys the formation reality with all its nuances. The same certainly could be said about leadership and yet it is incumbent on those in leadership to work for solutions. Certainly in the group work today we tried to look at certain issues that continue to arise in our formation process be it with stagiaires or young confreres. Let us not forget that the period of stage is also a period of formation and in some way because of the accompaniment needed it could also be true of the young confreres. We discussed about the stage, about the reticence of certain of our stagiaires or young confreres to accept an appointment to a given province or even a type of ministry. Many felt that there seemed at times to be a lack of readiness and availability. There are situations where after a few months in a particular mission a young confrere is asking to change or a stagiaire may be ill at ease because he did not get the specific place he had desired. Maybe our discussions were begging the question that is so fundamental concerning our identity. Surely the very basis of whom we are, the very basis of our identity is mission and that entails our constant availability, generosity and flexibility; how do we form for such important elements of whom we are?

Yes, in many ways the questions discussed around the accompaniment of stagiaires; their receiving communities, the role of leadership and the role of stage coordinators are issues that have been discussed so many times over the years, directives are there, guidelines are there so how is it that such questions are still arising? Surely it is a question of all   leadership teams to take these matters seriously and follow the guidelines that have been in place for so long. Our animation, our visits, our overseeing, our proximity are all the important aspects of how we follow up things.

Download Echoes from the Plenary Council – 29th November 2019