Our Annual Retreat with Sister Cathy Murugan

Thanks Sister for your wonderful guidance!!!

Our Feast Day at Lourdel House!

The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception being a felicitous day to the church, the family of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) was filled with Elysian happiness as they congregated for the celebration.

In the nick of time, all roads were heading to Lourdel House and delightfully enough to note were the colossal number of the White Fathers, Friends of the Missionaries of Africa coupled with the presence of the students from Lavigerie Formation House Jinja who provided a choir that meticulously and triumphantly animated the liturgy.

The occasion began with a vivacious procession of the smart White Fathers all clad in their habits and a very bodacious choir echoing the songs of rejoicing like the blessed seraphim and cherubim all adhering onto each other in a joyful mood.

Monsignor John Baptist Kauta during the homily

The celebration was beautified with the presence of Monsignor John Baptist Kauta, the executive secretary of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, who was as well the main celebrant of the day.

Delivering his homily in a very humorous and whimsical way, the main celebrant reflected on the life of Mary and primal in his reflection was her humility that he remarked was the one that enthused God to make her the ‘Theotokos’ –mother of God and very pertinent point was her generosity that he further accentuated as that which makes her a model of charity, action and gratitude.

Prior to the fact that the Society of the Missionaries of Africa is dedicated to the patronage of Mary by the founder, the monsignor applauded Cardinal Lavigerie for his work ranking him a very high caliber person.

He linked the phrase of Mary “My soul proclaims the Lord my God ….” To the white fathers saying it has been the phrase guiding them for all the efforts they exerted in evangelization of Africa.

In the midst of the solemnity was the golden jubilee celebration of Fr. Ferdinand Tillman from Germany since he took his oath as A Missionary of Africa (White Father).

Fr. Ferdinand being congratulated by Br. Francis

Overwhelming emblems of gratitude were extended to the Jubilarian for his assiduous love for the people of Africa and above all to the people of Uganda especially his commendable and tremendous work in the formation of the local clergy in the various major seminaries.

The ‘teenager’ of the day as he was branded gave a vote of honor to the Missionaries of Africa for all the opportunities rendered to him to enable him discover his vocation and to his family members and the people of Uganda for being very hospitable and cooperative to him.

It was observed by the main celebrant that the relationship the White Fathers have with Mary has been very good, attributing it to have been the factor that has helped the White Fathers to be successful in their mission.

The main celebrant delivered his heartfelt gratitude to the White Fathers especially Fr. Mapeera and Br. Amans for exhibiting humility in their mission and for enduring all the hardships in Africa to ensure that it is evangelized and developed.

The function could not be abridged just in a page as it entailed a great deal of merry makings but in a nut shell it was a jovial celebration that came to a climax with reverberation of the angelic voices as they chanted the great anthem of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) –Sancta Maria and subsequently introduction of the members, toothsome lunch and departure followed suit. 

Tonny Ocheng  

Basketball at its best!

Our brothers playing Basket Ball against the Holy Cross. We won as you can see on the board

PAPA LAVIGERIE!!!

For the love of Africa you possessed,

A heart of zeal and zest you embraced,

A devoted spirit for Africa you credited.

Even though you not canonized,

Papa Lavigerie you remain our pillar.

You stretched yourself for peace,

Inter-religious dialogue you proclaimed,

War torn areas you faced,

With the view of making them tranquil,

Since all were in peril.

Oh! Papa, how can I thank you?

You had a foresight for Africa,

A mission that you did with passion,

To the marginalized, you treated with compassion,

A vision that has remained in fusion,

Just for Africa`s transformation.

Oh! Papa, who am I not to salute you?

We thank you for the gift of our Society,

Especially in our Jinja community,

That encompasses different diversity,

Congolese, Spanians, Tanzanians, Ugandans and Kenyans,

A symbol of international fraternity,

Mmmmmmhuuuu!  A promotion of unity and community life!

Shhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Amans Production!

Brian, Peter, Angelous and Martin in Kasama Spiritual Year

Insights from Pope Francis visit to Uganda

LAVIGERIE IS DEAD BUT LIVING

It is few days ago since we commemorated the death of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, the founder of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). As the community of Lavigerie, we are so grateful to commemorate this day with our friends. The celebration was led by Rev. Fr. Kato Otto, the Ugandan vocation animator. He started by welcoming and congratulating each one who was present for that day of which he attributed their love for the community. He defined Lavigerie as a man who had a strong character with missionary zeal. Furthermore, he attributed the Uganda Martyrs to Lavigerie’s missionary work since he was the first person to send missionaries to Uganda in conjunction with by then the Pope. He said that Lavigerie’s desires and interests did not stop him in extending the kingdom of God that is Christ’s mission. He challenged everyone who was present to take on the same example.

Fr. Otto Kato

Fr. Kato Otto is a gifted follower in the footsteps of Christ. His reflection of the day begun with a song ‘’banga’’ from West Africa as the only he could afford to give to Lavigerie as a gift. He said, “Had it not been Lavigerie, I would be… as a slave in a country which he could not describe’’. The reading talked about the end of the word which he described as a challenge especially those who translate the bible literally. He pointed out few people including ‘Kibwetere’ of Uganda who predicted that the world would end in 2000. This was followed by burning several people to ashes with some religious people inclusive. 

Fr. Katto continued his homily attributing the following memorable qualities of Lavigerie in his successful evangelization of Africa:

Be nothing but apostles. He said that Lavigerie encouraged his missionaries to be apostles. That is a man of prayer and reminded them that they were neither explorers nor travelers but missionaries. This is an important point of reflection especially for people who are both in formation and mission.      
       

Respect for humanity. Lavigerie was an outstanding figure where he said at one time that “I am a man and nothing human is foreign to me”. It is said that in a dream of black people, he saw them welcoming him with songs of joy and praise. This dream geared Lavigerie’s plan to save humanity in Africa where he found the society of missionaries of Africa. He encouraged them to learn the language of the people where they would be sent because it would be one way of showing that they part of them.          
    

Humility, Lavigerie‘s humility was exceptional from others. In case of small mistakes, he would go and kneel before his secretary to ask for forgiveness. Political, religious and any other leader should have him as the role model to transform our societies where we are living.

Fr. Otto said that all these qualities are more or less similar to those of Pope Francis. The society will always remember you for the service you render to it but not what position you hold. Lavigerie, you will keep in our memories for the great work done in Africa.

                                                                                       JOHNBOSCO MAGEZI