Day 2 Pilgrimage to Our Ancestral Home – Masaka, Uganda

Masaka is a region in the central part of Uganda, which was the centre of evangelisation for the southern and western parts of the country.

We visited places where formation and training of the key pastoral agents of evangelisation took its roots: catechists, priests, women religious (closely linked with the foundation and formation of the Daughters of Mary - Bannabikira or Bwanda Sisters). Like elsewhere in our pastoral work legacy, health care and education were part and parcel of our commitments in Masaka region.

At our arrival in Villa Maria we received a very warm and joyful welcome from scouts, school children, religious sisters, priests, the Bishop and Christians from the parish. While visiting the places where the White Fathers and White Sisters arrived more than 100 years ago, we could “breathe the spirit of our ancestors” in order to renew our apostolic zeal and thank the Lord for so many fruits of the missionary work done by the daughters and sons of Lavigerie in Uganda and other countries.

• Passing the equator. Passing the equator.
• Visit of the minor and major seminaries Visit of the minor and major seminaries
• Welcomed by the scouts Welcomed by the scouts
• Welcomed by the bishop of Masaka Welcomed by the bishop of Masaka
• With scouts With scouts
• Visit of Villa Maria Hospital started by the White Sisters Visit of Villa Maria Hospital started by the White Sisters
• Symbolic jubilee gift for the needs of the hospital Symbolic jubilee gift for the needs of the hospital
• Welcomed by singing and dancing school children Welcomed by singing and dancing school children
• Welcomed by singing and dancing school children Welcomed by singing and dancing school children
• The General Council of the White Sisters The General Council of the White Sisters
• Mass at Villa Maria Parish Mass at Villa Maria Parish
• Offertory Offertory
• Group photo in front of the parish church in Villa Maria Group photo in front of the parish church in Villa Maria
• Children performing local dances Children performing local dances
• Sharing ground nuts at the example of Bishop Streicher who served and loved Ugandan people Sharing ground nuts at the example of Bishop Streicher who served and loved Ugandan people
• Sharing ground nuts at the example of Bishop Streicher who served and loved Ugandan people Sharing ground nuts at the example of Bishop Streicher who served and loved Ugandan people
• Jubilee cake prepared by the Daughters of Mary Bannabikira Sisters Jubilee cake prepared by the Daughters of Mary Bannabikira Sisters
• Planting a jubilee tree in Villa Maria Parish Planting a jubilee tree in Villa Maria Parish
• Visit to the Mother House of the Daughters of Mary Bannabikira Sisters who were formed by the White Sisters Visit to the Mother House of the Daughters of Mary Bannabikira Sisters who were formed by the White Sisters
• Visit to the Mother House of the Daughters of Mary Bannabikira Sisters who were formed by the White Sisters Visit to the Mother House of the Daughters of Mary Bannabikira Sisters who were formed by the White Sisters
• At the tomb of Mother Mechtilde – White Sister who was the first formator of the Daughters of Mary At the tomb of Mother Mechtilde – White Sister who was the first formator of the Daughters of Mary
• With the Daughters of Mary Sisters With the Daughters of Mary Sisters
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