A New Beginning: AORians Gather to Welcome New Companions at AJUC
By Wisdom Ukelo, SJ
Greetings from Arrupe Jesuit University Community!
We began the 2026–2027 academic year with gratitude as AORians, welcoming 24 AOR companions who have joined us for their studies at Arrupe Jesuit University (AJU). We are also grateful for the new AOR formators who have joined the Arrupe Jesuit Community, namely Fr. Oscar Momanyi and Sch. Nicholas Oyoo, who are lecturing at Arrupe Jesuit University, and Fr. Tadele Wolde, who is pursuing his PhD studies at AJU.
On 3 September 2026, the AORians at AJUC gathered to officially welcome their fellow AOR companions who have joined the community. The programme began with a Eucharistic celebration, with Fr. Kizito Kiyimba, the AOR Provincial, as the main celebrant, and concelebrated by Fr. Tobias Dindi, Fr. Tadele Wolde, and Fr. Oscar Momanyi, SJ.
During the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Kizito Kiyimba expressed his gratitude for the increase in the number of AORians at AJU and welcomed the new AOR formators who have joined the Arrupe Jesuit Community. He also encouraged the companions to remain focused on their formation and studies as they begin the new academic year.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, the companions gathered for a time of self-introduction, allowing everyone to introduce themselves and get to know one another better. This was followed by speeches from the AOR formators, who shared words of encouragement as we began the new academic year.
After the formators’ speeches, Sch. Edward Tonny, the AOR Province Coordinator at AJUC, gave the opening remarks, welcomed the companions and highlighted key matters and updates from the province.
Furthermore, the Aorians celebrated companions whose birthdays fell in August, as well as those celebrating their birthdays in September. The celebration continued with the first-year AOR scholastics cutting the cake, symbolising their warm welcome into the AJU community.
The gathering concluded with a shared meal and a time of social interaction, allowing the companions to strengthen their bonds as one AOR community.
As we begin this new academic year, we pray that the Good Lord may continue to journey with us, guiding us in our formation and studies at AJU. May He continue to guide and lead us in our respective apostolates.
