Namugongo is a Place of Faith- Bishop Kakooza tells pilgrims

 

by Valerian Kkonde                                                            

ACCPU

 

Bishop Christopher Kakooza in Namugongo

On 3^rd June the universal Church celebrates the Martyrdom of Saints Charles Lwanga and his 21 companions who were killed on the orders of the then Kabaka of Buganda, Mwanga Basammula-ekkere, for refusing to denounce their faith in Jesus Christ. The martyrdom took place between 1886 and 1887.

The death of these martyrs took place in different parts of the country: Munyonyo, Kyamula, Old Kampala, Kiyinda Mityana and Namugongo.

It is in Namugongo, where majority martyrs were executed, that pilgrims gather on this day, in their millions to praise and thank the Almighty for the gift of the Uganda Martyrs. This year’s Martyrs’ celebrations were animated by Lugazi diocese, representing Kampala Ecclesiastical Province. The celebrations were held under the theme: Lord, let me see again, I, a pilgrim of hope.

The Ordinary of Lugazi diocese Bishop Christopher Kakooza, was main celebrant and his homily follows below.

“Your Excellence Archbishop Luigi Bianco- Papal Nuncio, Your grace the Archbishops, my Lord Bishops, honourable ministers and members of parliament. Dear fathers, religious men and women. Dear people of God.

I welcome you all to Namugongo. Namugongo is a place of faith and hope. I welcome pilgrims from Kenya, from Tanzania, from Uganda, from Rwanda, from Burundi, from Sudan, South Sudan, from West Africa, South Africa, pilgrims from Europe, USA, Australia, India and from all over the world.

Dear pilgrims you are all welcome.

Co-celebrants at Consecration

Ladies and Gentlemen, with hearts full of gratitude and joy, we lift up our voices in thanks giving to the Almighty God for giving us a Shepherd Pope Leo XIV. Called and chosen to guide the Church in this new era of faith and renewal. Let us unite in prayer to God for the Holy Father.

We also remember to pray for Pope Francis our beloved shepherd of good memory. During his life time he made this pilgrimage with us to Namugongo. Pope Francis called us pilgrims of hope as he proclaimed 2025 a holy year. May he rest in peace.

“With one voice we have come to cry out to Jesus: Lord, let me see again I a pilgrim of hope!

Dear pilgrim of hope, brothers and sisters, what is a pilgrimage?  A pilgrimage is a journey of faith, by a person of faith, to a place of faith to strengthen faith.

A pilgrimage is a journey of faith, by a person of faith, to a place of faith to strengthen faith. It is a spiritual journey, a holy journey, a quest for renewal and transformation.  It is an examination of values, a relation with God. It is penance, choosing the narrow path, seeking to encounter God’s grace and revelation. A pilgrimage is a journey of faith. This journey is undertaken by a person of faith. It is a journey of a disciple walking with Jesus towards holiness, experiencing contemplation of the Divine.

Brothers and sisters we have made this holy journey to this place of faith- Namugongo. Today we have come to pray like the apostles: Lord increase our faith. Jesus answers: if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, be uprooted and planted in the sea and it will obey you.

Brothers and sisters, with the faith of a mustard seed, little faith as it was with the Martyrs, they gave their life to Christ, they died for Christ. The little faith of Charles Lwanga, Matia Mulumba and companions was turned into great faith to uproot evil and plant holiness. They made this pilgrimage to Namugongo.

In Jesus’ name they conquered the world. They are now at peace. Their faith and hope turned into immortality. They were tested like gold in a furnace. Nothing, neither hardship, persecution nor spiritual … could separate them from the love of Christ. They were accepted as a pleasing offering. They shine brightly, they reign with the Lord forever.

We have come to tap this faith in this place of faith, Namugongo. We are pilgrims of hope.

Brothers and sisters, eternal salvation is hopeful. Jesus said, in my Father’s house, there are many places. I am going to prepare a place for you. Where I am there you will be. This is a promise. We have great hope in these words of Jesus. We can go through challenges trusting God’s promises. This hope calls us to transcend worldly attachments.

Pilgrims from different countries at the time of Offertory. All photos by Arthur Kibuuka / ACCPU

Hope is the cornerstone of our pilgrimage. We anticipate God’s kingdom and eternal life. Hope inspires us to love; love motivates us to serve others selflessly. A pilgrimage of hope is an eternal spiritual journey that upholds in our daily life through prayer and acts of charity. We participate in this spiritual journey in communion with God and others.

The pilgrimage of hope is a journey of resilience. Life is full of challenges, moments of doubt and suffering. Hope enables us to persevere. Hope reminds us that our troubles are temporary. The holy Martyrs of Uganda were inspired to understand this. Charles Lwanga, Matia Mulumba and companions were ready to suffer in hope of what was to come.

Their mission was to witness to the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. They have handed over that mission to us. Dear Christians, with love and joy, we proclaim the hope of resurrection to the world, a world marked by despair and uncertainty. Of this pilgrimage we invite all of you to come thus to the father’s house where there is plenty of joy, where there is love.

The Lord be with you.”