By Benedict Mukoni……………….
The Uganda Spiritual Formation Centre Namugongo (USFCN), a program of Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), was pleased to commission more than 33 participants at the Centre after a successful completion of their Sabbatical and Formation courses on October 17, 2025.
The Sabbatical and Formation courses are nine-month programs at the Center, running annually from January 31st. Participants include Priests, Sisters, and Brothers from various congregations within the Catholic Church.
The commissioning commenced with a Eucharistic Celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which was presided over by Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok of Lira Diocese, who also doubled as the Chief Guest at the commissioning ceremony.
Bishop Sanctus appealed to the participants to pray and dedicate themselves to the world today in many sectors regarding humanity.
“All of us who know and have this close relationship with God should really uphold it and come up with a new journey that the world needs to uphold the dignity of humanity.”
The church, he added, in its wisdom, since Vatican II has now come out explicitly with a synodal church, the priests, leaders, the bishops, and the laity need to come together in this moment. This formation Centre now should be upgraded to a level where all must come and form ourselves to walk the talk together.
“So we would like the type of formation that would include some of our laity to balance our movement and our postulate so that our witnesses become even stronger, especially for the married couples.”
The Secretary General of ARU, Sr. Jane Yatuha – OLGC, congratulated the graduates on behalf of ARU and advised the participants to take with them what they have gained from the courses because they are being commissioned out with sharpened lips.
She also thanked the Superiors present for sending the participants every year, a sign that when they graduate from the Centre, they make a positive difference in the ministry.
Sr. Jane also sent a kind request to Bishop Sanctus that they need support from the Bishops because of some challenges that Centre is facing, such as renovation since it is now over 30 years old. “We really count on your prayers and also on other forms of support if you can find them.
“We have big dreams for this Centre if we stand together with your prayers and support, because we also need accreditation of our institute by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education since we will establish other courses here.” Sr. Jane disclosed to Bishop Sanctus and the general congregation present.
