By Sr. Immaculate Tusingwire, MMS
It was a great joy as the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU) commissioned 151 senior/ 2nd year novices at St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary on 21st June 2024.
The commissioning marked the end of the program which run from 25th May to 22nd June under the Theme: The identity of a consecrated person to the challenged world. Some of the courses taught during this one-month long program include; Understanding and living as a human person, Canonical Norms, Addiction management and Integration of cultural beliefs and practices into consecrated life.
The commissioning begun with the celebration of mass led by Fr. Lawrence Mwenya, CSC who encouraged the novices to focus on the treasure. After Mass, the group planted a tree to mark the event and thereafter, the Novices were issued with certificates in a colorful ceremony.
In his address to the novices as the chief guest, Fr. Joseph Sserunjoji, the Rector of the St. Mbaaga’s major Seminary, cautioned the novices to keep their identity, be the light and show the people that God can still be seen through them by being good examples in the challenging world of today.
Out of the 151 group of Novices, 103 were female, while 48 were male novices. These represented 24 Institutes of Consecrated men and women with a diversity of Ten Nationalities; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Congo, Malawi, Togo, Ghana, South Sudan and Mozambique.
The secretary General of the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), Sr. Lydia Apili Bwor LSMIG, on behalf of the ARU president Sr. Speranza Namusisi, officially ended the program and invited the novices to cherish the unity they have as novices, warned them about modern technology and invited them to do everything in moderation and reminded them of freedom with responsibility.
In his program concluding remarks, Bro. Cleophas Kyomuhendo, CSC, Coordinator of Formation Committee, told the novices to add the experience they got to their previous formation experience and use it for their journey of transmitting infinite love. He assured the team, partners and guests present, that the novices have been empowered enough to accept transformation and conversion to embrace their call with joy.
