Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
The Archdiocese of Tororo has released theme for the 2018 Uganda Martyrs Day (UMD) celebration due 3rd, June, at Namugongo Catholic Shrine.
The theme for the 2018 celebrations is “Let Us Walk in the Light of God as a Family” (1 John 1:5-10). The major objective behind this theme is ultimately to focus on the family; that smallest unit of the human society in which the faith of everyone is implanted and in which it grows, drawing from the powerful example of the parents.
Speaking at a press conference held on 9th, November,2017 at the UgandaCatholic Secretariat (UCS) premises in Kampala, the Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo said that the theme will be pastorally expressed by a special focus on the centrality of the family, the indispensability of the catechist in the evangelization and the pastoral care and support of the family as well as the young people in society.
“In the Archdiocese of Tororo, this entire year is running along the sub-theme of: ‘Merciful Parents, Peaceful Families’. Several of our heroic Uganda Martyrs were family heads or children belonging to one. Their martyrdom did have a tremendous impact on their respective families,” Archbishop Obbo said adding that, “We also deliberately recognize catechists as immediate pastoral agents at the grass-root where they get in touch with the family unit and sustain its faith.”
He also said that the youth, who constitute the majority of the population in Uganda, are that section of God’s people closest to the heart of the Catholic Church in Uganda and to His Holiness Pope Francis. “For them and with them Pope Francis has called a Synod for the Youth next year. They indeed are a priceless treasure to the Church, and must be especially attended to.”
Tororo Archdiocese will animate the 2018 celebrations on behalf of Tororo Ecclesiastical Province which comprises of the Dioceses of Jinja, Kotido, Moroto, Soroti and Tororo. The 2018 UMD celebration will be held concurrently with the 100 year’s celebration of the martyrdom of the two Catechists from Paimol: Blessed Daudi Okello and Blessed Jildo Irwa who were killed in 1918. The two Blessed Martyrs are usually commemorated on 18th, October but they will be remembered in a special way on 3rd, June, 2018.
The preparations and the actual celebration have been estimated to a cost of at least ($198,029 an equivalent of 720m Ugandan shillings. Tororo Archdiocese last presided over the Martyrs Day celebrations in 1998.
Meanwhile, in a bid to raise funds for the 2018 UMD celebrations, the Archdiocese has organized its second fundraising drive on Sunday 12th, November, 2017, in Kampala starting with a Holy Mass at 10.30am. The Archdiocese officially launched the fundraising drive for the 2018 celebrations on 21st, October, 2017, at Tororo and collected about Ushs 20m in cash.
Archbishop Obbo said they want to ensure that the 2018 celebration is very colorful and spiritually enriching hence they launched the fundraising drive much earlier. He called upon all Christians and people of good will to contribute generously towards this grand and special event in the life of the Church.
The Archdiocese has also released a special prayer (novena) dedicated to the Uganda Martyrs. The prayer is intended for the success of the June 3rd celebrations and for the intentions of all the pilgrims who will attend the 2018 celebration.
Tororo Archdiocese will organize the celebrations in collaboration with the Uganda Episcopal conference, the Government of Uganda and other stakeholders. 10 committees have already been set-up at the diocesan level to help in the organization and coordination of the celebrations.
The annual celebration is usually held in honour of the 22 Catholic Martyrs who were killed on the orders of Mwanga II the Kabaka (King) of Buganda between 1885 and 1887. Twenty-two Catholic Martyrs were beatified on 6th, June, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV, and on 18th, October, 1964, Pope Paul VI canonized them as Saints. In addition to the 22 Catholic Martyrs, there are two Catechists from Paimol: Blessed Daudi Okello and Blessed Jildo Irwa.
The testimony of the Uganda Martyrs to die for their faith in the imitation of Jesus Christ has inspired many pilgrims who make this spiritual journey of renewing their faith each year. Millions of pilgrims from across the world usually throng Namugongo in honour of the Uganda Martyrs.
Hoima Diocese animated the 2017 Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations.