Missionaries of Africa, Jinja

Interreligious Dialgue is one of the precious and enjoyable apostolates we engage in here at Lavigerie Formation House. It is experienced through many dimensions: experts, social action, spiritual experience and life. We usually encounter people of other faiths in our apostolates like Makenke Slum, Jinja Hospital, and Home of Hope etc.  Dialogue for Experts is usually through encountering the spiritual leaders of other faiths like Islam, Hinduism. The content discussed here concerns the deepening of knowledge of the basic beliefs of the other. The Dialogue for Social Action is geared at promoting peace and justice in our society. In addition, the Dialogue of Spiritual Experience aims at enriching the other’s spiritual life by borrowing some practices from the other religion. This is in view of helping one pray or meditate better. It is not for one to abandon one’s own beliefs, which is closely leading to proselytism, which is never the aim of this encounter. Finally, the Dial...

Cekoroba It was on the 9 th March, 2017 that a multitude of the PCJ – Philosophy Centre Jinja family congregated to reflect and meditate on the theme; “In the footsteps of the pioneer missionaries in Uganda.” The day was graced by the presence of the guest speaker, Fr. Richard Nyombi M.Afr. He was particularly introduced to commence the seminar by the rector of Lavigerie formation house-Jinja in the following manner: “I invite Fr. Richard Nyombi to take us into the beautiful reminiscence of our pioneer missionaries; Fr. Lourdel, Br. Amans and Mother Kevin, as we eventually project ourselves into the future which we hope will culminate in the beatification of those who have made the pearl of Africa to be known as the land of the martyrs” (Cekoroba, 2017). This opening statement was so rich and informed of the seminar’s theme. The mention of the Platonic literary genre takes us not only to history but historicity which is paramount in any discipline; he also highlighted the ...

Painting at our Chapel (Lavigerie House, Jinja) "Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are “disciples” and “missionaries”,  but rather that we are always “missionary disciples”." Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 120

Disability could be understood as the state which denies one his or her identity, power and dignity in the society. But all these misconceptions are being erased out by the St Ursula S pecial S chool trying to restore the power, identity and dignity of disabled children in our societies who have been marginalized. As part of the course on Trauma, Identity and Power, we decided as the class to shift our theoretical concepts to practical ones in the field. We visited the school of children with multiple disabilities.  The school is named after St Ursula; it is called St Ursula S pecial S chool. Indeed, it is special from others; since, they are helping children who have mental disabilities. These are children who have been marginalized by some of their families and society. The vision of this school is to empower these children so that they may be acceptable in society and their families. They are being taught some basic education, such has cleaning themselves and even going ...

Artist: Jean Marie Bamutaze The Pelican is a water bird that takes full care of its young ones. It is all things to its young ones the fact that it hatches in big numbers. In times of scarcity of food, it feeds its young ones on its own blood by biting itself to bleed. In that way, the Pelican so much inspires and speaks to us at Lavigerie House and the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) at large. It helps us feel our identity in the Gospel and in Christ through his laying down of life for us. Again inspired by Cardinal Lavigerie our founder in his words “Be all things to all”, this is to be just as a Pelican to its young ones. This is the greatest value of love that we embrace in our service to human kind. Following the inspiring sacrifices of Jesus and the Pelican who both shade their blood for the survival of others, we too be there in special attention and priority to the needs of others. We portray this through helping the needy, the n...