Daniele Comboni
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Uganda’s Youths to Animate Series of Eucharistic Celebrations ahead of Martyrs’ Day
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Youths in Uganda are set to animate a series of Eucharistic celebrations to mark the celebration of the Ugandan Martyrs, one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings. [In the picture: A poster announcing the series of Eucharistic celebrations ahead of the June 3 annual celebration of the Ugandan Martyrs and the 60th Canonization Anniversary to be animated by Catholic Youth in Uganda. Credit: Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC). ACI Africa]
In a Press Statement shared with ACI Africa on Monday, May 27, the National Youth Office of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) that is spearheading the youth initiative provides details of the daily Eucharistic celebrations ahead of June 3, which also marks 60 years since the Ugandan Martyrs were canonized.
The first Holy Mass scheduled for Wednesday, May 29 and the last one on Saturday, June 2, the Eucharistic celebration will be “youth-led but open to all pilgrims and Christians”, according to the Press Statement.
On Wednesday, May 29, youths in Uganda are to animate Holy Mass at Namugongo. Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok of the Catholic Diocese of Lira , who doubles as UEC Vice Chairman is to preside over the Eucharistic celebration that is to begin at 2 p.m. local time, followed by Catechesis and Novena.
Bishop Damiano Guzzetti of the Catholic Diocese of Moroto in the East African nation, who serves as the Vice Chairman of Lay Apostolate Commission of UEC is to preside over the youth-animated Mass on Friday, May 31 at Munyonyo, beginning at 2 p.m. local time.
The youth and other pilgrims will remain at Munyonyo for a Vigil, which Fr. Raymond Kalanzi is to preside over “to prepare Pilgrims for the Walk of Faith beginning at 8pm”, the statement indicates.
On Saturday, June 1, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala and Archbishop Raphael p’Mony Wokorach of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu are to flag off the “Walk of Faith from Munyonyo to Old Kampala” that is open to all, at 7.30 a.m. local time.
The “Walk of Faith” is to culminate in a Eucharistic celebration at Old Kampala from 2 p.m. local time, to be presided by Archbishop Wokorach.
Namugongo Shrine is a large property covering the site where St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, who included pages at the royal court, were burned alive by the order of Kabaka (King) Mwanga II of the Buganda kingdom.
Thus, the Uganda Martyrs’ Day dates back to the first decade of Christian presence in the East African nation when 45 men aged between 14 to 50 years were killed because of their faith by the King of Buganda between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887.
Among the 45 were 22 Catholics beatified in 1920 and canonized in 1964. These martyrs continue to promote Catholic life in the East African nation and also play an important role in constructing a Catholic identity globally.
Jude Atemanke – ACI Africa