Jubilee Closing Celebration in Uganda

On December 8^th in Namugongo, Uganda, the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) coming from different countries, gathered to celebrate the closing of the 150 year Jubilee of of their foundation. The solemn Mass presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda gathered over 5,000 people who came to accompany the missionaries.

 From the welcoming speech of Sr. Carmen Sammut Superior General of the White Sisters:

“As we celebrate this jubilee feast, we can imagine the immense joy of Cardinal Lavigerie as he sees all of us gathered here, from Uganda and from various other countries, rejoicing to share this immense gift of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. ... As we look back on these 150 years we want to thank God for the faith of our ancestors that gave them the courage to go to unknown countries in the name of the Crucified and Risen Jesus. We thank God that this faith has grown and is lived in every country of Africa. We thank God for the Uganda martyrs and for so many other men, women and children who on this continent have given their lives for Christ and for others.  We remember the courage of the first African women who become religious so soon after hearing the message of Jesus.... We want to thank you for welcoming the first missionaries and indeed for welcoming us even until today, for teaching us your languages and your customs, for opening your homes to us and becoming our friends, and for participating in our apostolic work. We want to thank you parents, who have allowed your children to become priests, religious men and women, and missionaries.”

• Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin
• Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin
• Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin
• Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin
• Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin Encounters and joyful waiting for the Mass to begin
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• Offertory procession Offertory procession
• Offertory procession Offertory procession
• Thanksgiving dance Thanksgiving dance
• Coming around the altar for the renewal of missionary commitment Coming around the altar for the renewal of missionary commitment
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• Prayer in front of the relics of the Uganda Martyrs Prayer in front of the relics of the Uganda Martyrs
• Prayer in front of the relics of the Uganda Martyrs Prayer in front of the relics of the Uganda Martyrs
• Arrival of the Archbishop of Kampala Arrival of the Archbishop of Kampala
• Entrance procession Entrance procession
• Entrance procession Entrance procession
• Entrance procession Entrance procession
• Entrance procession Entrance procession
• Entrance procession Entrance procession
• Place of the celebration Place of the celebration
• Welcoming word from Sr. Carmen Sammut Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa Welcoming word from Sr. Carmen Sammut Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa
• Namugongo choir composed of more than 100 singers Namugongo choir composed of more than 100 singers
• Namugongo choir composed of more than 100 singers Namugongo choir composed of more than 100 singers
• People gathered for the celebration People gathered for the celebration
• Missionaries of Africa, bishops and co-celebrants Missionaries of Africa, bishops and co-celebrants
• Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters)
• Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters)
• Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters)
• Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters)
• Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda
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