The month of July this year has been a great blessing for the Camillian Mission in Uganda. From July 5th to 18th, 2024, the Provincial Superior of the St. Camillus Province-India, Fr. Bijoy Kuliraniyil MI, accompanied by the Provincial Councilor for Missions, Fr. Benny Chengalikkavil MI, made a pastoral visit to Uganda. They visited various Camillian houses and some other religious communities in the area. During the visit, Fr. Bijoy met all Camillians and Camillian students in Uganda, who shared their experiences and benefited from his paternal guidance and attentive listening.

On July 6th, Onyango Joseph, Ogabe Gabriel, Kiiza John Kabura, Kavuma Peter, and Ewonyu Zacharia entered the Novitiate, and eight scholastics renewed their vows on the eve of the feast of St. Camillus. Fr. Bijoy presided over the Eucharist celebrating the feast day of St. Camillus on July 14th, and instituted five scholastics into the ministries of Lector and Acolyte.

The Silver Jubilee Year celebrations of the Camillian presence in Uganda were inaugurated on July 17th, with the theme “In the Footsteps of St. Camillus.” The Mission Superior, Fr. Babychan MI, welcomed the guests, and the Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese, Rt. Rev. Robert K. Muhiirwa, presided over the Holy Eucharist, which was animated by the Camillian students’ choir. During the celebration, Alifred Ayesiga, Asaba Oscar, and Birungi Joseph made their Temporary Profession before the Provincial Superior, in the presence of their family members. The bishop emphasized pastoral care for the families of the sick and fidelity to the four vows taken by Camillians.

The Bishop, Fr. Bijoy, and the chief guest, Mr. Kamulindwa Patrick, the Youth Minister of Tooro Kingdom, who was delegated by the Minister of Health in Tooro Kingdom, Dr. Richard Mugahi, unveiled the Jubilee Emblem as the Camillian students sang the jubilee year anthem. Fr. Benny then led the Jubilee Prayer, marking the official inauguration of the jubilee year activities. Fundraising for the Jubilee year charitable activities was officially opened by the Deputy City Health Officer of Fort Portal city, who organized an auction and collection of funds. Both she and the chief guest expressed concern over the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and teenage pregnancies in Fort Portal and showed readiness to collaborate with the Camillians.

The Jubilee year began with spiritual and pastoral nourishment. On July 18th and 19th, Camillians in Uganda organized a public seminar on “Developing Competences for Humanizing the Service to the Sick” at St. Adolf Ongoing Formation Centre-Mukabura, facilitated by Fr. Arnaldo Pangrazzi MI from the North Italian Province, an expert in Pastoral Health Care Theology. The seminar was attended by health workers, priests and religious, social workers, and religious candidates. Fr. Arnaldo continued to share the Camillian charism by preaching a three-day Camillian retreat followed by a three-day seminar on the Jubilee year theme, which concluded on July 27. These events were attended by Camillians and Camillian students in Uganda, along with nine members from the Kenyan delegation and three members from the Tanzanian delegation, fostering a sense of fraternity and collaboration.

Numerous other programs are expected to take place throughout the Silver Jubilee Year, in thanksgiving to God and to extend our service to the sick.

Tiigo Mathias

St. Camillus Scholasticate, Fortportal