IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE PIONEER MISSIONARIES IN UGANDA

Cekoroba introducing the main speaker

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 on-going process of investigation on the worth of these three for beatification and finally echoed what Uganda is paired with – land of the martyrs. All these aspects are part and parcel of what constituted the theme in congruence to the guest speaker’s key agenda.

Fr. Richard Nyombi, M.Afr.

He began by reminding the assembly of the history of evangelization in Uganda, with the White Fathers establishing their presence in Central and Western part early in 1879, Mill Hill Missionaries in the East in 1895 and the Comboni Missionaries in the North much later in 1910. This informs us that the White Fathers are the architect of Catholic Christianity in Uganda. This does not discount the vigorous role of the other religious congregations not mentioned herein.

Extensive as it was, the theme was condensed into six significant points. History has it that “Uganda is the pearl of Africa” (W. Churchill). This has remained enshrined hitherto. What is new is that the missionary work of these pioneer missionaries has yielded fruits for the universal church – the martyrs, giving Uganda a new name as the “Pearl of Africa and Land of the martyrs.” With martyrdom as the cream of witness, Mapeera is reported to have exclaimed: “We no longer need to envy any other mission, Uganda has her own martyrs!”

Sister Leone (Little Sisters of 
Saint Francis) introducing the life of Mother Kevin

Fr. Richard, too, articulated on whether or not we need Saints in our milieu. With reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 828, we realize that saints play a pivotal role in our lives as intercessors and companions, examples and models of holiness and are the source and origin of renewal. What ensued was the life and works of Mapeera, Amans and Mother Kevin. Mother Kevin, who was invited to Uganda by a Mill Hill Prelate (based in Uganda) in 1903, has had a visible contribution. To mention but a few, she established a number of health units including Nzambia hospital and several schools to address health and literary needs of the natives. Above all, Mother Kevin founded the congregation of the Little Sisters of St. Francis traditionally known as Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa. Mapeera was gifted: he was a diplomat, linguistic and a doctor. He enjoyed good acquaintance with the Kabaka of Buganda and was his personal doctor and friend. In a way, he represented the Catholic missionaries to Uganda. Amans and Mapeera are inseparable. The name Mapeera is a Baganda twist from ‘mon pere’ as Amans used to call Lourdel, ‘my father’. Though he seemed to be in the background, his hands and feet were soiled in tending to the different demands of the people in the apostolate. Amans is reported to have been a missionary of good character that one of the Uganda martyrs, John Mary before his death spoke of him as follows: “I want to be like Brother Amans.” Historically, Br. Amans was the first religious in Uganda, and the first to take his missionary oath in Uganda.

Unity among Mill Hill, Missionaries of Africa and Little Sisters of Saint Francis
 during the Eucharistic celebration

The cause for the Beatification of Mapeera, Amans and Mother Kevin was part of the day’s package. The audience was invited to be involved in this fundamental process with the hope that by reflecting on the outcome of the lives of the pioneer missionaries in Uganda, we may take their faith as our model. The guest speaker concluded by inviting the assembly to be part in the pilgrimage, which he compared with the encounter between Jesus and the disciples of John the Baptist. In response to their demand of where he lives, Jesus told them to ‘Come and See.’ They went, saw and returned to give witness to others. This must be the same for our pioneer missionaries in Uganda; we should be in touch with their history, emulate their example and faith, and give witness through their intercession.   

LONGOLI MICHEAL
(Student of the Missionaries of Africa)

UTONGOI MUSEO (Missionaries of Africa's cultural performance)

PCJ Cultural Day is a souvenir occasion where its members get an opportunity to enjoy its cultural diversities. It takes place at the eve of the Ash Wednesday. This year, as a community, we had an opportunity to venture in Kamba culture, found in the Eastern of Kenya. The Kamba region comprise of three counties: Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties. The population of the Akamba makes up approximately 11% of the total Kenyan population.

This years’ dance, entitled “Utongoi Museo,” meaning “Good Governance,” was performed in honour of the Kamba girl and who has good leadership qualities. It depicts the community aspect present in many of the African cultures, but in a special way with a lady as the leader of the community. The dance performed by the unmarried people was made to give thanks for the good leadership skills portrayed in a Kamba lady.

This was a greater opportunity for us to present the Kamba culture even outside the Akamba region.

URBANUS MUTUKU
(Missionaries of Africa)

PCJ RECOLLECTION DAY

There are many ways God communicate to and with us and on our side, there are several ways we have and we do communicate with the Supreme Being. Prayer is one of the greatest ways we can communicate with our Creator.

On the 4^th March 2017, we, PCJ family, were privileged to have a recollection. It was animated by Fr. Peter, CMF, who shared to us some of the great gifts God has granted unto him. “An opportunity of Healing and Conversion” was the theme of the day. Having the reflection from the Acts 3:1-10, we were called upon to be the true disciples of Jesus and share Him with others as Peter and John shared Christ with the crippled man at the temple’s gate. With the accompaniment of Pope Francis’s Encyclical, Laudato Si’: Chpt 6 part iii & iv, we learnt great moral lessons.

PCJ students listening to the recollection speaker

After the input, we had time of personal prayer and confession. Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament followed. After the adoration, we concluded our recollection all being happy and more energized to be a light, living in Christ’s example, by going out and deliver what we learn from God’s only Begotten Son. It is through our deeds many are attracted to Christ and are compelled to follow His ways which are True.

KELVIN MWAMBURI (Missionaries of Africa)

PCJ CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL (PCJCCR)

PCJCCR is termed as Philosophy Centre Jinja, Catholic Charismatic Renewal. This movement started way back in C.a 2008. Since then it has done great works of mercy especially through offering prayers for the peace of all PCJ communities. You are therefore assured that whether you fellowship with them or not they always love pray for you and your community members.

This movement conducts spiritual activities like, out reaches, Eucharistic Adoration, Praise and worship and Holy Mass. All other activities follow our time table, which hinges around Wednesdays, while outreaches stretch beyond the time table. We have often relied on the help of our Spiritual director yet our Biblicist also, Father Louis Kessels from MHM. I assure you, the time you will hear him preaching you will undoubtedly want him to stop not. 

In these spiritual activities, the Charismatic group of PCJ has extended a helping hand to the poor, especially to the prisoners in Kirinya and Bugembe. They have always carried an important message of hope “Trust God all will be OK, do not worry your selves beyond repair and what can you change by worrying. The second common message is, do not be in prison wholly, Let your soul be in union with God not with prison walls.” During these visits they also offer material aid, counseling and guidance, and company.

Message from charismatic, Come and Join us on Wednesday for more information. Secondly, are you in good terms with that person, if not why, if yes, Glory be to God. In the case of no, there has perhaps been abuse of the other person’s dignity. Move a step whether it is your fault or not and bring peace through reconciliation. Thirdly, have you ever prayed for that person or you wait only to criticize him/her when in mistake. Prayer changes everything, it is God’s wish that we love and pray for one another. Would you not fulfill God’s wish?

PCJCCR wishes a better and spirit guided pursuit of your life goal. Gratia Multas.

                                                         Maliyamungu 

(Holy Cross)

Tooro Culture (Holy Cross Cultural Presentation)

Holy Cross performance group posing after the presentation

It was in the context of Tooro culture. The presentation rotated around notions; Marriage, Reconciliation and Laziness. It showed how marriage is valued in Tooro, how laziness is disastrous to family life and how reconciliation championed by elders is important in restoration of family bonds.

The cultural dance was a story about a young man who loved and married a young beautiful lady. Unfortunately after producing two children the lady became lazy and the sole efforts of the man were insufficient to sustain the family materially. Laziness is unwelcomed in Tooro culture. The man sought work abroad and left the family in abject poverty. This called for attention of elders in the clan who traced him and by counseling and encouragement won the man back to his home. It is on that day that he came with food and clothes for his wife and children who became overjoyed at catching sight of him.

The act of the mother presenting   her daughter for marriage, was symbolizing the vivid truth that in Tooro culture parents are directly involved in the marriage of their daughter. Presently this value is being overlooked especially by the so called educated boys and girls, but church weddings trace again for the consent of the parents of the girl.

In their dance, they use Engarabi (Long drum), embutu, Orunyege(rattles), and raffia skirts (ebikwizi). The engarabi and orunyenge are normally played by men and ebikwizi are strictly for girls. Well harmonized, a foreigner would pay a million shiilings to be allowed to watch this beautiful dance. 

Thank you for being a persistent leader. Come to Tooro you will see the remaining.

Maliyamungu 

Holy Cross

SPORTS LIFE AT PCJ

It is a joy and pleasure for me to share the sports life at PCJ. Very often when we talk about sports, people’s attention is channelled towards competition but sporting activities at PCJ go beyond competition. They facilitate and enhance the spirit of fraternity whose roots can be traced in the Gospel. Sports provide a platform for us to discover our hidden talents and further give opportunities for individuals to perfect and explore their talents. Sports time is usually a time of refreshment, entertainment and interaction.

The most beautiful thing about our sports here at PCJ is that we share our fraternity with the outside community.  We invite and visit other institutions for sports encounters and the purpose is not only to compete but to build strong relationships between PCJ family and the outside communities.

Our games have helped us to build healthy friendships with people we meet of which widens our capacity to accommodate others in our lives.

Every academic year, we organise inter-community leagues and the main purpose is to give room for all members to exploit their talents, awaken dormant talents and build a strong PCJ team. So far we have five main sporting activities; Athletics, football, netball, basketball and volley ball. I believe in time to come we shall have the opportunity engage in other games.

 A sincere gratitude to the Administration and the formation houses for supporting the PCJ sports activities. You have always rallied behind us whenever we host and visit other institutions. May He who ordained this fraternity foster it as he rewards you in your daily endeavours.

To the student’s community; we are glad and grateful for your commitment and sacrifices for the PCJ. Congratulations for your outstanding performance at Kaliro National Teachers College and we call upon your co-operation and preparation as we plan to host another institute on 18^th here at home.

Wishing you God’s blessings and protection. Indeed PCJ you are great we salute.

Yours in service,

Okello Isaac (MI) Sports minister PCJ.

PCJ CULTURAL DAY 2017

This day was colurful. There was several presentations from different cultures of the PCJ family members. Imagine a congolese traditional blessing. You should have been part of the day. God bless you.

CIRCUMCISSION

Claretian community performing during PCJ Cultural Day 2017

This is one of the most important rites of passage that are carried out among the Luhya. It is a transition from childhood to adulthood. The young man has to show his courage and readiness to be a man in the tribe by undergoing the pain of the sharp knife. There several processes followed before the circumcision day.

Firstly, the young man moves in the whole village in company of other people beating some metals on his hand. This is to inform them that soon he will be circumcised. During this movement, songs are sung accompanied by dances. This takes three to four days if not a week because he has to inform even he relatives apart from the neighbors.

Moreover, after availing the message all over, he is now taken to the uncle’s place. While there, the uncle will give him morale and advise him not to fear when the time comes. Consequently, he will slaughter a bull for him and tie the intestine of the bull around the young man’s neck. The people accompanying the initiate will eat and drink before leaving the place.

Furthermore, on the night before circumcision day, dances will take place as the boys beat the metals on his hand. Then very early in the morning, people will accompany him to the rivers. There he will dive in the cold water. That water will numb his body. Soil will be applied on his body before they leave. Immediately they arrive at home the boy will be directed to where he is supposed to stand. He will showcase his courage by standing still until the knife goes through his foreskin. Everybody around together with the parents will shout and rejoice for the boy has finally proved himself as man. Presents will be offered to him before he is taken in the house for treatment. 

  

                                                                                                                    By Raphael Juma (Claretian Community)