July 8, 2024….
By Benedict Mukoni,
More than 90 junior religious professed from 17 congregations across the country reported and were inaugurated for the inter-congregational national course organized by Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU) at St. Mbaaga’s major seminary, Ggaba on July 7, 2024.
This course takes place every year as a preparation of the junior consecrated men and women before their pronunciation of perpetual vows.
This year’s inauguration was graced by the ARU president, Mother Speranza Namusisi – IHMR as the guest of honourand the course is running under the theme “Consecrated life, a journey of commitment.” Among participants who reported were 81 sisters and 7 brothers.
Mother Speranza encouraged participants to share their different experiences so that they enrich one another and appreciate their charisms since they come from different institutes. She added that all charisms are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
“We are collaborators, brothers and sisters, each one bringing their own charisms. Because we are all for the service of the church and salvation of souls. So partly why we come here is to see that we are able to work together in God’s vineyard.” Mother Speranza said.
The vice president, ARU, Rev. Fr. John Bosco Kamoga, who presided over the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on the inauguration day with the primary theme “prophecy” in the homily revealed to the participants that a prophet is a forgiven sinner. He reminded them that it is not because they are the most perfect, that God called them to be religious men and women, but they have been forgiven to go out and proclaim the goodness and mercy of God.
He said that the mercy of God is highlighted in the forgiven prophet because He comes out of his own mercifulness and reaches out to this human person and forgives them and consecrates them for the purpose of the kingdom of God. Because whoever has been forgiven is given a ministry of going and becoming a messenger to the people of God so that they too can be forgiven.
Now the secretary general of ARU, Sr. Lydia Apili Bwor, welcomed the participants and appealed to them to be humble because many at times, when people are young and full of energy, they can easily make mistakes. She invited them to look at Jesus the exemplary priest and be under the cross to understand it if they are to sanctify and prophesy the mission of Christ rather than their own things.
The inter-congregational national annual course touches a variety of topics and it usually takes one month. It will end on August 3, 2024 with the awarding of certificates and commissioning ceremony.
