DELEGATION OF PILGRIMS FROM RWANDA TO NAMUGONGO FOR UGANDA MARTYRS CELEBRATIONS 3RD JUNE 2024
The delegation was composed of priests, religious sister and many christians from different Diocese in Rwanda. We started our journey on 1st June 2024, some from Kicukiro others from Nyamirambo. The journey started with a prayer and a blessing led by Rev.Fr .Ernest who called upon the Holy Spirit to guide and and protect us in our journey.
On our way Rosery was the prayer we used and praise and worshipping songs. Also the life history of Uganda martyrs was read so that we can understand how each one was killed.
On reaching Namugongo were welcomed well by the Dominican sisters , after refreshing we started mass led by Rev.Fr Martin who in his Homily invited us to love Jesus in the Holy Eucharist since we were celebrating the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and blood of Jesus. He invited each one of us to prepare and present our prayers intentions through the Holy Uganda martyrs.
After mass we had procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the convent of Dominican sisters. After lunch everyone was free for personal prayers.
On 3rd June 2024 that was the real day of celebrations we went to the shrine as early as possible at 5:00am we started our prayers and at exactly 10:00 we started mass which was led by .Rev Raphael P’Mony Wokorach Bishop of Nebi Diocese. In his introduction he told us that we are celebrating the 60 anniversary of the canonization of Uganda martyrs. In his Homily he said we should always look at the courage of Uganda martyrs, he said we must pray for our families as the theme of the year was “BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD WE SHALL SERVE THE LORD“ (Joshua 24:15). He used the example of Matia MULUMBA who had many wives but after receiving the good news he decided to remain with one and received holy matrimony. He requested Christians to avoid corruption. He reminded us of the request of the Holy Father to take care of our nature by planting trees each one to plant a tree in his or her home area .He concluded by congratulating NEBI Diocese upon leading the celebrations of this year especially the choir. After mass we were given a final blessing. In the evening after supper we had a great sharing which included introduction of each member and sharing of the experience at Namugongo. Some of us were happy and thanking God for his wonders for example how the martyrs were killed .The following morning we had mass and then set off to different areas where they were martyred ie in old Kampala where Matia MULUMBA was martyred as they were taking them to Namugongo he said to them there is no need of continuing to Namugongo since he had decided to follow Christ. We later visited where Yohani Maria Mzee was killed he was beheaded and that place became a source of water which people use and get healed. From there we traveled back to Rwanda on the way we came praying the Rosary. We thank God and pray that may the Uganda martyrs pray for us so that God may increase our faith .Thank you so much.
Sister Allen TWONGYIRWE