Uganda’s Youths to Animate Series of Eucharistic Celebrations ahead of Martyrs’ Day, 60th Canonization Anniversary

Credit: Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC)

Bishop Damiano Guzzetti of the Catholic Diocese of Moroto in the East African nation, who serves as the Vice Chairman of Lay Apostolate Commission of UEC is to preside over the youth-animated Mass on Friday, May 31 at Munyonyo, beginning at 2 p.m. local time.

The youth and other pilgrims will remain at Munyonyo for a Vigil, which Fr. Raymond Kalanzi is to preside over “to prepare Pilgrims for the Walk of Faith beginning at 8pm”, the statement indicates.

Credit: Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC)

On Saturday, June 1, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala and Archbishop Raphael p’Mony Wokorach of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu are to flag off the “Walk of Faith from Munyonyo to Old Kampala” that is open to all, at 7.30 a.m. local time.

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The “Walk of Faith” is to culminate in a Eucharistic celebration at Old Kampala from 2 p.m. local time, to be presided by Archbishop Wokorach.

Credit: Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC)

Namugongo Shrine is a large property covering the site where St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, who included pages at the royal court, were burned alive by the order of Kabaka (King) Mwanga II of the Buganda kingdom.

Thus, the Uganda Martyrs’ Day dates back to the first decade of Christian presence in the East African nation when 45 men aged between 14 to 50 years were killed because of their faith by the King of Buganda between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887.

Among the 45 were 22 Catholics beatified in 1920 and canonized in 1964. These martyrs continue to promote Catholic life in the East African nation and also play an important role in constructing a Catholic identity globally.