Jesuits in Namugongo
By Fr. Lubega Aloysio, SJ
Every 3rd of June is a public holiday here in Uganda, set aside for the Church to commemorate the 22 Catholics and 23 Anglicans who refused to renounce their Christian faith and were consequently martyred on the orders of Kabaka (King) Mwanga II of Buganda, between 1885 and 1887, at a place called Namugongo. The youngest of the Martyrs, St Kizito, was about fourteen (14) years at the time of his martyrdom. The martyrs were canonized in 1964 by Pope Paul VI, and this year marked sixty (60) years since their canonization.
The story and the courage of the martyrs continues to inspire many, both in Uganda and abroad. Every year, millions flock to the shrine to pray to God through the intercession of the martyrs. Thousands, young and old, trek on foot from various parts of Uganda. This year, pilgrims trekked from as far as Kakamega in Kenya, and some came by bus from Tanzania, DRC and South Sudan. One of the pilgrims who gave birth at the shrine, named the baby after St. Kizito, and she promised to return to the shrine for baptism.
Each year, a different diocese in Uganda is assigned to animate the Mass at the shrine, and this year, it was Nebbi Diocese from North West Uganda. The main celebrant, Bishop Raphael Wokorach of Nebbi Diocese, flanked by all the nineteen Bishops of the Uganda episcopal conference, invited the pilgrims to use the example of the martyrs to bear witness to their Christian faith.
Our Jesuit community here in Kampala was also well-represented. Eight (8) Jesuits joined other pilgrims at Namugongo shrine, making it (probably) the highest number of Jesuits to ever attend Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations. After the Mass, the Jesuits took some pictures to keep the memories, before they returned home. St Charles Lwanga and companions, pray for us.
