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| Msgr. John Baptist Kauta Secretary General Uganda Episcopal Conference |
The Diocese of Lira has been selected to organize and lead this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations scheduled for June 3, 2015 at Namugongo Shrines.
Speaking as the Chairperson of the Central Organizing Committee on Monday 16, Msgr John Baptist Kauta announced to the eleven Organizing Committees that, “Lira diocese will be in charge of the liturgy and preparations for the commemoration of the Uganda Martyrs.”
Msgr. Kauta, who is also the Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) said, “the Diocese of Lira will lead the choir, procession for the offertory gifts, select commentators, masters of ceremonies, translators, readings and the readers as well as mass servers.” The Diocese is also expected to provide materials such as Altar linen, hosts and wine, vestments, chalices, ciboria, candles and water among other things for the event.
This annual celebration marks commemoration of the heroic faith of the Martyrs, both Catholic and Protestant, who were burnt to death on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887.
The twenty two Martyrs were beatified on June 6, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV, and on October 18 1964, in the presence of Bishops from all over the world who had gathered in Rome for the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI canonized them as Saints. They chose “to die rather than denounce their faith.”
Millions of pilgrims from different parts of the world usually travel by air, road and water to mark this celebration which transforms many people’s lives. The celebration is usually held at both the Catholic and the Protestant Shrines, which are situated just a few metres apart in Namugongo.
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| Members of different organizing Committee for Martyrs Day Celebrations |
The theme of this year’s celebration is yet to be released to the press. However, the Vicar General of Lira Diocese said their committee is working on it and it will be announced soon since the event is forthcoming.
Meanwhile, the Bishop of Lira Diocese, who is also Chairman of the UEC Social Communications Commission, Rt. Rev Joseph Franzelli, was in Kampala on Tuesday, March 17, to mobilize for funds from the Members of Parliament to help in the preparations of the event.
The testimony of the Uganda Martyr to die for their faith in the imitation of Jesus Christ has inspired many pilgrims who make this spiritual journey of renewing their faith. The intercession to the Uganda Martyrs has transformed many people’s lives and has become the source of strength amid the challenges and difficulties many Christians go through in their lives. Many pilgrims who go to Namugongo come back renewed in their faith and encouraged to give testimony to it by their way of life.
In his final remarks, Msgr. Kauta said that the meetings for the preparations are geared towards forming one central committee so that during the celebrations there is cooperation, coordination and harmony among all the different committees. He urged the committees to consider the tight deadline and called upon all people of good will to generously extend their helping hands towards the success of the occasion. The next meeting is scheduled for March 31 at the Catholic Secretariat.
The different committees that are preparing for the celebration have been formed according to the allotted tasks. Pastoral Care and Liturgy, Transport and Protocol, Information and Publicity, Catering and Welfare, Choir, Accommodation, Construction, Decoration & Maintenance, Finance, Security, Pilgrims, Medical and Ushering.
On the Liturgical Calendar of the Church, June 3rd is for commemorating the heroic testimony of faith by Uganda Martyrs and is marked as the Feast of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions on June 3. St. Charles Lwanga is singled out because of his leadership role. He was an outstating teacher of the Christian faith and mentor of all the martyrs to courageously face their horrible death instead of renouncing their faith in Jesus Christ. Lwanga even baptized some of them just before they were martyred while receiving instructions into the faith.
In addition to traditional twenty two Martyrs of Uganda, there are two more Catechists from Paimol: Blessed Daudi Okelo and Blessed Gildo Irwa who were killed in 1915. The two catechists were beatified by John Paul II on 20th October, 2002.
In the Catholic Church, the Martyrs are venerated for their heroism in professing and witnessing to their faith. They have an intercessional role to those who are still struggling in life’s journey to join them triumphantly at the end of their earthly lives.
By Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference