By Sr. Immaculate Tusingwire, MMS…………
Consecrated men and Women of the Archdiocese of Kampala, turned up in big numbers to Inaugurate the Jubilee Year for the Religious on the feast day of the Presentation of the Lord which is also a World Day for Consecrated Life, celebrated every 2nd of February for the past 29 years.
The celebration which took place at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine begun with a conference facilitated by Sr. Naluggya Justine, IHMR, followed by the Eucharistic celebration of the Mass which was presided over by the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, His Grace, Paul Ssemogerere.
During the conference which preceded the Eucharistic celebration of the Mass, Sr. Justine shed more light on what the Jubilee year means and how the Religious are called to participate in it. The Religious present brainstormed ways in which they can actively mark the jubilee year among which were giving hope to the most vulnerable like allowing those who cannot afford to pay school fees into our schools and also responding to the cry of the earth by engaging in activities that respond to climate change.
The colourful Eucharistic Celebration of the Mass begun with a procession along with the relics of the Uganda Martyrs and the three symbols of the day; the Cross, the Candle, Palm branches and a Portrait of the Uganda Martyrs.
Explaining the symbols, the Vicar for Religious, Fr. Nnyombi Richard, M.Afr. said that;
“The Cross as a sign of Victory / Hope, symbolises Life being victorious over death and a life given out of love so that others may live and have life in full, as Jesus did. The Candle / Light as a sign of Victory / Hope, symbolises Light being victorious over darkness as written in Jn 1:5, a life given so that others may have light, the light of life.”
The Cross and the Candle were the two symbols that were handed over to the consecrated men and women by the archbishop. Fr. Nyombi also elaborated on the other two symbols of the day as follows;
“Palm Branches / Ensansa as sign of Victory / Hope, symbolises the Victory of Martyrs as we read in Rev. 7:9, “Multitudes with palm branches in their hands.” The Portrait of the Ugandan Martyrs with our theme symbolises the presence of the Ugandan Martyrs as a Light to the world / Our light, because, by following in the footsteps of Jesus the Crucified, they faithfully carried their crosses up to the end.”
There will be a series of events in the course of the Jubilee year which will be closed officially on 6th September 2025 at Lubaga Cathedral. Below are some dates to save in the different Vicariates of the Archdiocese;
- 22nd February 2025 : Mitala Maria Vicariate, Mitala Maria Parish
- 1st March 2025 : Wakiso Vicariate, Ggayaaza Parish
- 8th March 2025 : Entebbe Vicariate, Ggogonya, Divine Mercy Church
- 15th March 2025 : Kampala Vicariate, Nsambya Parish
Pictorial Highlights of the Day
